ABSTRACT
Apoptosis is a genetically regulated form of programmed cell death. It occurs in response to physiological stimuli and secondary to cell injury and stress. It has a role in the regulation of cell population density during embryogenesis, aging and in many diseases. This work was performed to study the expression of the apoptosis -related proteins [Bcl-2 and P53] in normal human female mammary gland epithelium at different physiological stages [puberty, lactation and involution] and in breast fibroadenoma and invasive breast carcinoma. Breast specimens were processed for histological, immunohistochemical and statistical studies, Histologicaly, most of the apoptotic cells showed shrunked cytoplasm and fragmented nuclei and were seen predominantly in the basally located glandular epithelial cells. Different patterns of Immunoreactivity for Bcl-2 and p53 was present throughout the mammary epithelial cells, suggesting different grades of susceptibility towards apoptotic stimuli in individual glandular epithelial cells. However, specific cells showed strong reaction for Bcl-2 and P53. Specific Bcl-2 and p53 expression patterns could reflect particular cell differentiation states. Bcl-2 and P53 expressions are associated with prognostic histopathological features and their evaluation is of value in predicting the clinical course and the programs of treatment of b