Survivin: a promising biomarker in breast carcinoma

The antiapoptotic protein survivin can be detected in most types of malignant tumors, but it is rarely expressed in corresponding normal adult tissues. Therefore, survivin appears to represent a promising diagnostic biomarker. We examined survivin expression in 13 cases of normal breast tissue, 38 cases of fibroadenomas and 80 cases of breast carcinomas by immunohistochemical staining using anti-survivin antibody (DAKO, Clone 12C4). In each section, the intensity of staining, percentage of labeled cells, and the subcellular location of survivin antigen were assessed. Survivin was detected in 4/13 cases of normal breast tissue (30.7%), in 28/38 cases of fibroadenomas (73.7%), and in 67/80 cases of carcinomas (83.8%). Normal breast tissue showed cytoplasmic positivity only. In fibroadenomas, 19 cases (50.0%) revealed cytoplasmic reaction, and in 9 cases (23.7%), small foci of cells with combined nuclear and cytoplasmic location were identified. In carcinomas, cytoplasmic staining was found in 12/80 cases (15.0%), nuclear staining in 10/80 cases (12.5%), and combined cytoplasmic and nuclear staining in 45/80 cases (56.3%). Subcellular location of survivin between benign and malignant lesions revealed significant differences (p<0,001). Our findings point at practical use of survivin detection. We confirm the importance of nuclear staining of survivin antigen in breast carcinoma, which seems to be a notable diagnostic marker for estimation of the degree of neoplasia.