Ki-67 Index and Its Correlation with Clinical and Pathological Variables in Breast Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology
• Biomarkers

Background:

• The prognostic value of the Ki-67 index in breast cancer remains debated.
• Understanding Ki-67's associations with clinicopathological factors is crucial for accurate prognostication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between the Ki-67 index and various clinicopathological parameters in breast cancer patients.
• To assess the potential of Ki-67 as a prognostic marker in this cohort.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study of 127 female breast cancer patients (stages 1-3, nodal stage 0-1).
• Ki-67 index was correlated with age, tumor size, lymph node status, histological grade, ER, PR, HER2, and molecular subtypes.
• Statistical analysis included Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

Main Results:

• Ki-67 index positively correlated with pathological stage (p=0.025), grade (p=0.0001), and molecular subtype (p=0.0001).
• Inverse association observed with Estrogen Receptor (ER) (p=0.0001) and Progesterone Receptor (PR) (p=0.0001) status.
• No significant correlation found with age (p=0.892), tumor size (p=0.08), nodal status (p=0.06), or HER2 status (p=0.287).

Conclusions:

• The Ki-67 index demonstrates significant associations with key prognostic factors including grade, stage, ER, PR, and molecular subtype.
• These findings support the role of the Ki-67 index as a valuable prognostic marker in breast cancer management.
• Further research may elucidate its precise role in treatment decisions.