P53, c-erbB-2 expression and steroid hormone receptors in breast carcinoma: correlations with histopathological...

The aim of the study was to evaluate the p53 tumor suppressor gene, c-erbB-2 and steroid hormone receptor expression in breast carcinoma by immunohistochemistry and to correlate them with different histopathologic parameters.

p53, c-erbB-2, steroid hormone receptors and their correlation with age, tumor size, histological grade, axillary lymph-node status, and menopausal status were investigated in 65 breast carcinoma cases. All markers were measured immunohistochemically on paraffin sections. Association between estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), p53 and c-erbB-2 expression and clinicopathologic variables were assessed by the chi-square test for qualitative parameters.

c-erbB-2 staining was found in 35.3% of breast carcinomas and was associated with ductal subtype and age under 35 (p = 0.022, p = 0.003, respectively); p53 staining was seen in 27.6% of cases and was associated with high histological grade and postmenapausal status (p = 0.038, p = 0.002, respectively). Progesterone receptor expression was associated with positive axillary status (p = 0.003).

We concluded that expressions of c-erbB-2, p53, ER, and PgR may be used in the evaluation of breast carcinoma. Therefore the present study suggests that p53 expression is a marker of high histological grade in postmenopausal status, and that c-erbB-2 expression is associated with histologically ductal subtype.