Prognostic significance of reactivation of telomerase in breast core biopsy specimens.
BACKGROUND
Telomerase is not expressed in most somatic tissues, but activity has been shown in breast carcinoma and up to 90% of solid tumors. We sought to determine whether activation of telomerase, as shown by immunohistochemical staining for human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), held prognostic significance in core breast biopsy specimens.


METHODS
We identified women with atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) on core biopsy who either had underlying cancer or ADH. Immunohistochemistry with anti-hTERT antibody was performed on biopsy specimens, and staining was evaluated.


RESULTS
Core biopsy specimens stained strongly with the hTERT antibody in 7 (70%) specimens with ADH on open biopsy and 6 (86%) with underlying cancer. The difference was not statistically significant (P = .43).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests telomerase may be activated early in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. The immunohistochemical evaluating expression of hTERT does not reliably identify those patients with ADH on core biopsy who are likely to have cancer.
Herbert
Garth S
GS
Department of Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040A Reid St, Tacoma, WA 98431, USA. garth.herbert@gmail.com
Sohn
Vance Y
VY
Mulcahy
Michael J
MJ
Champeaux
Anne L
AL
Brown
Tommy A
TA
D001706:Biopsy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism*
D019098:Telomerase