title: The value of TOP2A, EZH2 and paxillin expression as markers of aggressive breast cancer: relationship with other prognostic factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The immunocytochemical expression of topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A), enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) and paxillin has recently gained increasing attention. Although previous studies have commented on the clinical usefulness of these markers, their role remains controversial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to investigate the expression of TOP2A, EZH2 and paxillin in relation to classic prognostic parameters and their significance as prognostic markers in imprints of resected breast carcinomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Imprint smears from 55 patients who underwent surgical treatment for primary carcinoma in our department between 2005 and 2006 were studied immunocytochemically with the use of TOP2A, EZH2 and paxillin antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of TOP2A correlated with higher histologic grade, tumor size and negative PR expression. High intensity staining for EZH2 expression was associated with higher histologic grade, negative ER and PR expression and positive Ki-67 expression. The expression of paxillin showed no correlation with estrogen/progesterone and HER2 expression nor with tumor grade and stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data indicate that TOP2A and EZH2 expression are related to a more aggressive tumor phenotype. The expression of paxillin failed to correlate with any of the studied clinicopathologic factors. Further studies are needed to verify these results.
authors: Department of Breast Surgery, Iaso General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Panousis
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Patsouris
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Lagoudianakis
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Pappas
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Kyriakidou
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Voulgaris
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Xepapadakis
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Manouras
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Athanassiadou
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Athanassiadou