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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
14:57
Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P53
Published on: August 4, 2019
[Different phenotypes generated by changes in bcl-2 and p53 expression in breast cancer]
Corina Cianga1, P Cianga, Laurette Cozma
1Disciplina Imunologie, Facultatea de Medicină Dentară, Universitatea de Medicină si Farmacie "Gr. T. Popa", Iaşi.
Summary
The study found that bcl-2 and p53 protein expression changes in breast cancer are linked to tumor aggressiveness and metastasis. These molecular changes influence the invasive potential of breast carcinomas and their lymph node metastases.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- The bcl-2 protein plays a role in apoptosis and is implicated in various cancers.
- Estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and p53 protein are established prognostic factors in breast cancer.
- Understanding the interplay of these markers is crucial for predicting breast cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of bcl-2 in primary breast carcinomas and lymph node metastases.
- To analyze the correlation between bcl-2 expression and established prognostic factors (ER, PR, p53).
- To evaluate how changes in these molecular markers relate to tumor aggressiveness and metastatic potential.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry were used to detect protein expression.
- The study analyzed 55 primary breast carcinomas and 30 corresponding axillary lymph node metastases.
- Expression levels of bcl-2, ER, PR, and p53 were quantified and correlated.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was observed between bcl-2 and hormonal receptor expression in primary tumors (p < 0.05).
- An inverse correlation between bcl-2 and p53 was found in primary tumors (p < 0.02), while a direct correlation was seen in metastases (p < 0.02).
- The aggressive bcl-2+/p53+ phenotype was more prevalent in lymph node metastases (58.82%) compared to primary tumors (48.39%).
Conclusions:
- Changes in bcl-2, p53, ER, and PR expression are associated with increased cellular aggressiveness in breast cancer.
- These molecular alterations contribute to enhanced tumoral invasive and metastatic potential.
- The shift in marker expression from primary tumors to metastases highlights the dynamic nature of cancer progression.
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