Relationship between Expression of Anaphase-promoting Complex and Prognostic Factors in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of Breast

BACKGROUND: The role of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) is to promote the degradation of mitotic cyclins and other substrates involved in sister chromatid adhesions. The APC appears to be responsible for the degradation of cyclin B and may have a potential role in the loss of control concerning cell proliferation in mammalian cells. However, a direct link between the defects in the APC components and oncogenesis has not been estabilished. This study investigates the relationship between APC expression and variable prognostic factors in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. METHODS: We evaluated 108 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma surgically resected from January, 1996 to May, 2000 at Wonju Christian Hospital, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University. Immunohistochemical stains for APC, estrogen receptor, and Ki-67 were done in paraffin sections using the avidin-biotin complex method. The results were compared with clinical and pathologic parameters and flow cytometric DNA analysis factors. RESULTS: Forty cases (37.0%) showed immunopositive reactions for APC. The APC positivity in histologic grades 1, 2, and 3 were 28 cases (84.4%), 33 cases (60.0%), and 7 cases (35.0%), respectively (p=0.0011). The APC expressions in cases with the number of mitosis of less than 10, 10-19, and more than 20 per 10 high power fields, were noted in 37 cases (75.5%), 26 cases (63.4%), and 5 cases (27.8%), respectively (p=0.0016). The mean value of the Ki-67 labeling index was 221.7 in the APC-positive group and 317.9 in the APC-negative group (p= 0.0091). DNA flow cytometric analysis revealed higher APC expressions in cases with diploid patterns (p=0.0095). The APC expression rate increased significantly with decreasing histologic grade, with decreasing mitotic activity, in cases with a low Ki-67 labeling index, and those in the diploid group (p<0.05). The APC expression was not statistically correlated with clinical stage, tumor size, and estrogen receptor status. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that positive APC expression may be considered as a good prognostic factor of invasive ductal carcinoma, and loss of APC expression may be related with the progression of breast cancer.

The comparison of mammographic and pathologic features in ductal carcinoma in situ / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To analyze the mammographic features of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast and the correlation between the mammographic and pathologic findings, and try to provide clinical criteria for selecting patients for appropriate local treatment. Methods A retrospective study was performed to analyze the mammographic features and to correlate the mammographic and pathologic findings in 29 consecutive cases of DCIS including 8 cases of DCIS associated with small invasive foci. Results (1)There were various features in mammograms of DCIS, including cluster microcalcifications (20 cases), ill defined mass with calcifications (3 cases), mass (4 cases), nipple retraction associated with big ductal dilatation (1 case), and normal mammogram (1 case). (2)The shape of the calcification cluster distributed as V shaped in 7 cases, round in 8 cases, irregular in 5 cases, and scattered as many small areas in one quadrant in 3 cases.(3)1 lesion appeared as strip from the deep aspect of the breast to the nipple, and 3 masses were round. (4)The comedo subtype (7/9) and the high grade nuclei of DCIS (6/9), correlating with poor prognosis, were more likely to be accompanied by linear and branching calcification. Noncomedo DCIS (11/12) and low grade nuclei (11/12) were more likely to be associated with granular and punctate calcification when microcalcification were seen on mammogram. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups with P =0.002 and P =0.009 respectively (Chi square test, Fisher′s exact method). Conclusion The mammographic findings of DCIS were characteristic. They were closely associated with the pathologic features that were correlated with the biomolecular findings. To some extent, the choice of treatment could be based on these mammographic findings.