Protein expression of c-erbB-2 and p53 in normal ducts, ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma of the same breast.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is thought to derive from progressively aberrant, non-invasive breast lesions, but it is not known exactly how invasive breast cancer develops from these lesions. The aim of this study was to verify the changes in c-erbB-2 and p53 protein expression between non-neoplastic ducts, ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma found in the same breast. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study at Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher, Campinas, Brazil. METHODS: Fifty-six women with invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ in the same breast were included. The expression of c-erbB-2 and p53 proteins was assessed in non-neoplastic and neoplastic cells using immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: The c-erbB-2 protein was absent in non-neoplastic ducts but was present in 46% and 36% of in situ and invasive carcinoma components, respectively. Only 2% of non-neoplastic ducts, and 18% and 16% of ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma components, respectively, were positive for p53 protein. No significant difference in c-erbB-2 and p53 protein expression was observed between in situ and invasive components. The nuclear grade agreement between in situ and invasive carcinoma was very good. CONCLUSIONS: The invasiveness of ductal carcinoma in situ seems to be independent of the Her-2/neu and TP53 genes. The general features of an occurrence of breast carcinoma are formulated at the outset of carcinogenesis, and the Her-2/neu and TP53 genes are involved.

Protein expression of c-erbB-2 and p53 in normal ducts, ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma of the same breast / Expressão das proteínas c-erbB-2 e p53 nos ductos normais, carcinoma ductal in situ e carcinoma invasivo da mesma mama

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is thought to derive from progressively aberrant, non-invasive breast lesions, but it is not known exactly how invasive breast cancer develops from these lesions. The aim of this study was to verify the changes in c-erbB-2 and p53 protein expression between non-neoplastic ducts, ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma found in the same breast. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study at Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher, Campinas, Brazil. METHODS: Fifty-six women with invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ in the same breast were included. The expression of c-erbB-2 and p53 proteins was assessed in non-neoplastic and neoplastic cells using immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: The c-erbB-2 protein was absent in non-neoplastic ducts but was present in 46 percent and 36 percent of in situ and invasive carcinoma components, respectively. Only 2 percent of non-neoplastic ducts, and 18 percent and 16 percent of ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma components, respectively, were positive for p53 protein. No significant difference in c-erbB-2 and p53 protein expression was observed between in situ and invasive components. The nuclear grade agreement between in situ and invasive carcinoma was very good. CONCLUSIONS: The invasiveness of ductal carcinoma in situ seems to be independent of the Her-2/neu and TP53 genes. The general features of an occurrence of breast carcinoma are formulated at the outset of carcinogenesis, and the Her-2/neu and TP53 genes are involved.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O câncer de mama se origina de lesões não-invasivas, tais como as hiperplasias atípicas e o carcinoma ductal in situ, porém não se sabe exatamente como o câncer se torna invasivo. O objetivo foi verificar alterações na expressão das proteínas c-erbB-2 e p53 entre ductos não-neoplásicos, carcinoma ductal in situ e carcinoma ductal invasivo presentes na mesma mama. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal, realizado no Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher, Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Cinqüenta e seis mulheres com o diagnóstico de carcinoma ductal invasivo e carcinoma ductal in situ na mesma mama foram selecionadas e incluídas neste estudo. A expressão das proteínas c-erbB-2 e p53 foi avaliada usando imunoistoquímica. RESULTADOS: A proteína c-erbB-2 estava ausente nos ductos não-neoplásicos, mas estava presente em 46 por cento e 36 por cento, respectivamente, dos componentes de carcinomas in situ e invasivos. Apenas 2 por cento dos ductos não-neoplásicos, 18 por cento e 16 por cento dos carcinomas in situ e carcinomas invasivos, respectivamente, foram positivos para a proteína p53. Não houve diferença significativa na expressão das proteínas c-erbB-2 e p53 entre os carcinomas ductal in situ e invasivo. A concordância do grau nuclear entre os carcinomas ductal in situ e invasivo foi muito boa. CONCLUSÕES: A capacidade de invadir do carcinoma in situ parece independente dos genes HER-2/neu e TP53. A aparência geral do carcinoma de mama é formulada na iniciação da carcinogênese e os genes Her-2/neu e TP53 estão envolvidos.