Significance of P53 and C-erb-B2 CO-expression in breast cancer: immunohistochemical study

ABSTRACT

Immunohistochemical expression of P53 and c-erb-B2 proteins in 80 breast carcinomas was examined. The study aimed at finding a relation between co- expression of P53 and c-erb-B2 and the biological behavior of these tumors. Expression of P53 protein was detected in 28 cases [35%] of the tumors examined, while 20 cases [25%] demonstrated positive immuno- reactivity for c-erb-B2. There was a significant association between P53 protein expression, primary tumor size and lymph node involvement. Also the incidence of c-erb-B2 positivity is significantly correlated with high tumor grade, lymph node involvement and large tumor size. Concomitant P53 and c- erb-B2 protein expression was demonstrated in 16 cases [20%] of the total 80 examined cases. Such tumors were characterized by high tumor grade, large tumor size, positive lymph node, metastases, and high percentage of ductal infiltrating [NOS] histological type