Abstract
Aim: HER2/neu protein has garnered a great deal of interest in the popular media. However, it has long been known among pathologists and oncologists for its potential role as a tumor and prognostic marker. This protein exists on the surface of epithelial cells and functions in the normal cell as a receptor for a cellular growth factor. Aim of the study: is to determine the association of HER-2/neu and p53 as well as hormonal receptor status with common pathologic parameters in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Methods: Expression of HER-2/neu and p53 was examined by immunohistochemistry in samples of breast tissue from 50 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma and their significance for prognosis was analyzed. Results: There was a significant association between HER-2 over-expression and the accumulation of nuclear p53 (p=0.0017), the increased size of tumor (p=0.0115) as well as the high grade tumors (p=0.0001). On the other hand HER-2 over-expression showed an inverse significant association with ER (p=0.0001) and PR status (p=0.0003). Meanwhile there wasn’t any significant association of HER-2 over-expression with the number of the invaded lymph nodes, grade of tumor necrosis or the menopausal status. Conclusion: The study had indicated that Her-2/neu may be a powerful predictor of poor prognosis as it’s over-expression was strongly directly correlated with p53 nuclear accumulation, tumor size and grade and inversely correlated with hormonal receptor status of breast carcinoma. Meanwhile; no significant associated for number of invaded lymph nodes and the menopausal status.
License
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Article Type: Original Article
EUR J GEN MED, Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2007, 73-79
https://doi.org/10.29333/ejgm/82489
Publication date: 15 Apr 2007
Article Views: 1366
Article Downloads: 985
Open Access References How to cite this article