Immunohistochemical Survey of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast, using ER, PR, HER2 and KI-67 biomarkers, in Uyo, Nigeria

Background: Breast's Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC), which is the commonest type of malignancy in females worldwide, can be characterized using immunohistochemistry in view of personalized cancer therapy. In this study, we aimed to determine the pattern of immunohistochemical profiles of IDC using oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor (HER2) and proliferative index (Ki-67) biomarkers in our tertiary healthcare facility in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria given the dearth of its data in our environment. Materials and methods: We carried out a retrospective hospital-based immunohistochemical study of archival IDC tissue blocks over a four- and half-year period. Using systematic random sampling method, 64 formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) IDC tissue blocks were selected for this study. We carried out immunohistochemical evaluation using ER, PR, HER2 and Ki-67 biomarkers. Subsequently, we presented the results and classification schemes as text, tables, graphs, and photomicrographs. Results: We found that the proportion of expressions were ER-negative (88.7%), PR-negative (87.3%), HER2-negative (68.3%) and Ki-67 (<20%) being 83.6% respectively. The immunohistochemical-based classification which was done using combined immunohistochemical profiles of ER/PR/HER2 and ER/PR/HER2/Ki-67 biomarkers respectively, revealed five immunohistochemical-based subtypes. These subtypes were ER-positive luminal A (ER+/±PR+/HER2-) [5.56%], ER-positive luminal B (ER+/±PR+/HER2+) [5.56%], HER2-overexpression (ER-/±PR+/HER2+) [16.66%], Triple negative (ER-/PR-/HER2-) [66.67%] and Unclassified subtypes (ER-/PR+/HER2-) [5.56%]. Furthermore, these five subtypes were further subcategorized into low (Ki-67 <20%) and high (Ki-67 ≥20%) proliferation subtypes accordingly. Conclusion: The commonest pattern of immunohistochemical profile expression of IDC in Uyo was found to be the Triple negative subtype.

Histomorphologic Alterations of the Cerebellum of Wistar Rats following Amodiaquine Plus Artesunate Administration

Amodiaquine and artesunate are two antimalarial drugs sold in combination as Larimalr'. This drug is a very effective artemisinin-base combination. This study was to access the effects of amodiaquine and artesunate combination on the histology of the cerebellum. Twenty adult Wistar rats weighing between 150-180g were divided into four groups (A; B; C and D) of five animals each. Group A served as the control and the animals received distilled water; while group B received 8.75+2.86mg/kg of amodiaquine and artesunate combination for three days; group C received 8.75+2.86mg/kg of amodiaquine and artesunate combination for six days and group D received 17.50+5.71mg/kg of amodiaquine and artesunate combination for three days. Histological sections showed destruction of the Purkinje cortical layers in group B; with increased destructions in groups C and D compared to the control. These results reveal that amodiaquine and artesunate combination causes histological alterations; which were dose and time dependent and these may result in cerebellar dysfunction