The prognostic value of p53 and c-erbB-2 expression, proliferative activity and angiogenesis in node-negative breast carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
p53, c-erbB-2 and Ki-67 protein expression and microvessel density (MVD) determined by CD34 antibody were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and their correlation with clinicopathological parameters including estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptor status and survival were investigated in patients with axillary lymph node-negative infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 47 patients with axillary lymph node-negative infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma.


RESULTS
p53 and c-erbB-2 expression was detected in 36.2% and 31.9% of patients, respectively. Median Ki-67 expression was 10%. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of p53, Ki-67 and c-erbB-2 protein expression in relation to the age of the patients or to the size, histological grade or ER and PR status of the tumors. p53 protein expression correlated positively with c-erbB-2 and Ki-67 protein expression (P < 0.05). The mean MVD was 63.65 +/- 29.1 and it correlated positively with histological grade and Ki-67 expression (P < 0.05). Survival analysis revealed that age, tumor size, p53 and c-erbB-2 expression and PR status had no significant prognostic impact, whereas histological grade, proliferative activity and angiogenic activity were significant prognostic factors. Although ER-positive patients had a statistically significant overall survival advantage, the difference in disease-free survival was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
In axillary lymph node-negative breast carcinoma the histological grade and the proliferative and angiogenic activity of the tumor could be useful prognostic indicators.
Erdem
Ozlem
O
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. erdemom@yahoo.com
Dursun
Aye
A
Coşkun
Uğur
U
Günel
Nazan
N
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D011374:Progesterone; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53