bcl—2蛋白在良性乳腺病变及乳腺癌组织中的表达

目的 观察bcl-2蛋白在乳腺癌及良性乳腺病变中的表达。采用免疫组化方法检测15例正常乳腺组织、18例导管增生、10例不典型导管增生，10例小叶增生，69例浸润型乳腺癌和45例乳腺导管原位癌中bcl-2蛋白表达。结果 bcl-2在15例正常乳腺组织、18例导管增生、10例不典型导管增生及10例小叶增生中均呈阳性（100％），且均为高表达;bcl-2蛋白在69例浸润型乳腺癌和45例导管原位癌的表达阳性率分别为65．2％（45例）和75．6％（34例）。结论 bcl-2蛋白在正常乳腺组织良性乳腺病变的表达明显高于乳腺癌的表达。可能是在肿瘤的发展过程中bcl-2失去表达的结果，其原因和机理还有待进一步研究。     

乳腺癌组织中维生素D受体表达的研究

目的探讨维生素D受体(VDR)在乳腺癌中表达的特点,及其与乳腺癌患者年龄、肿瘤大小、淋巴结转移、肿瘤分化程度及ER、PR之间的关系。方法采用链霉菌抗生物素蛋白-过氧化酶免疫组织化学的方法,检测15例乳腺小叶增生、15例乳腺导管单纯增生、15例乳腺癌旁组织不典型增生及56例乳腺癌组织中VDR的表达情况。结果VDR在乳腺小叶增生、乳腺导管单纯增生、乳腺癌旁组织不典型增生中的表达率为分别为26.7%(4/15)、33.3%(5/15)、40.0%(6/15),VDR在乳腺癌组织中表达的阳性率为75.0%(42/56)。VDR在乳腺癌组织中的表达与癌旁组织不典型增生及乳腺小叶增生、乳腺导管单纯增生间差异有显著性(P<0.05),乳腺癌中VDR表达与患者年龄、肿瘤的T分期、腋淋巴结转移表达无显著性相关(P(0.05)。结论VDR在乳腺癌具有较高的表达率,可作为乳腺癌治疗中维生素D类似物的一个作用靶点。     

CD44~+/CD24~-、CD44~-/CD24~+在乳腺良恶性病变中的分布特点和临床病理意义

[目的]探讨CD44+/CD24-细胞、CD44-/CD24+细胞在乳腺癌发生不同阶段中(乳腺良性增生、乳腺不典型增生、乳腺原位癌、乳腺癌)分布规律,及其与乳腺癌临床病理因素之间的关系。[方法]采用免疫组化双染色方法检测45例正常乳腺组织、41例良性增生乳腺组织、39例不典型增生乳腺组织、51例乳腺原位癌组织、121例乳腺癌组织中CD44、CD24的表达情况,分析CD44+/CD24-细胞、CD44-/CD24+细胞在乳腺癌发生不同阶段中的数量和分布特点。[结果]CD44+/CD24-细胞存在于20.0%(9/45)的正常乳腺组织中,在29.3%(12/41)的乳腺良性增生组织、35.9%(14/39)的乳腺不典型增生组织、43.1%(22/51)的乳腺原位癌组织、52.9%(64/121)的浸润性乳腺癌组织中检测到CD44+/CD24-细胞,随着病变的进展,CD44+/CD24-细胞的数量也增加,差异具有显著统计学意义。此外,在33.3%(15/45)的正常乳腺组织中有CD44-/CD24+表达,43.9%(18/41)的乳腺良性增生组织、46.2%(18/39)的乳腺不典型增生组织、68.6%(35/51)的乳腺原位癌组织、86.0%(104/121)的浸润性乳腺癌组织检测到CD44-/CD24+细胞,且阳性细胞百分率随病变程度升高。在浸润性乳腺癌组织中CD44+/CD24-的表达与肿瘤有无淋巴结转移相关(P<0.05),但与病人年龄、月经状态、肿瘤的组织学类型、病理分级、肿瘤大小、ER、PR及Her-2的表达无显著相关(P>0.05),CD44-/CD24+的表达率与乳腺癌患者的各项临床病理特征均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。[结论]CD44+/CD24-、CD44-/CD24+细胞在乳腺增生和癌变过程中可能起重要作用。     

Maspin蛋白在乳腺癌与癌旁组织中的表达及其意义

目的:探讨Maspin蛋白在乳腺癌与癌旁组织中的表达及其意义.方法:采用免疫组化SP法检测104例浸润性乳腺癌、26例癌旁原位癌成分、63例癌旁导管上皮增生性病变(不典型增生20例、单纯性增生43例)及10例正常乳腺组织中Maspin蛋白的表达情况,同时分析浸润性乳腺癌组织中Maspin蛋白表达与病理组织学分级、淋巴结转移及ER、PR、c-erbB-2、Cath-D、VEGF表达的关系.结果:正常乳腺上皮细胞Maspin蛋白阳性反应主要位于细胞核,所有正常乳腺上皮细胞核均呈高表达( ～ ,100%),乳腺上皮单纯性增生、不典型增生、原位癌和浸润性乳腺癌细胞核Maspin蛋白高表达率分别为76.7%、65.0%、69.2%,和49.0%.从正常乳腺上皮到癌旁不典型增生细胞核Maspin蛋白高表达率呈渐趋下降趋势,不典型增生与原位癌的表达无明显差异,浸润性乳腺癌表达最低,Logistic回归模型分析不同组织细胞核Maspin蛋白高表达间存在显著差异(P＜0.05);而单纯性增生、不典型增生、原位癌和浸润性乳腺癌细胞浆Maspin蛋白高表达率分别为51.2%、85.0%、69.2%和63.5%,正常乳腺上皮未见细胞浆表达.不同组织Maspin蛋白的细胞浆表达同样有显著差异(P＜0.01),其中癌旁不典型增生较乳腺癌有更高的细胞浆表达.进一步研究发现浸润性乳腺癌细胞核Maspin蛋白表达与乳腺癌病理组织学分级及c-erbB-2表达呈负相关,与ER水平呈正相关;而与PR、Cath-D、VEGF的表达和淋巴结转移无明显相关.乳腺癌细胞浆Maspin蛋白与病理组织学分级、淋巴结转移及各项生物学因素无关.结论:细胞核Maspin蛋白绝大多数高表达于癌旁单纯性增生及正常乳腺上皮,细胞浆Maspin蛋白的高表达多出现在乳腺癌的早期及癌旁不典型增生,推测Maspin基因在乳腺癌的发生、发展中可能起一定的作用.     

乳腺导管内增生性病变的免疫表型分析

目的观察乳腺癌根治标本中导管内增生性病变的形态学及免疫表型特点和乳腺定向干细胞及其分化过程,探讨二者之间以及与浸润癌的关系。方法筛选出浸润性乳腺癌根治标本中有较多癌旁组织的病例43例,另筛选同期乳腺良性病变30例作为对照,选用CK5/6、CK34βE12、α-SMA、CK8、S-100蛋白等5种抗体做免疫组织化学染色。结果乳腺癌组43例中有37例伴有导管内增生性病变,其中普通型导管增生19例,柱状细胞变/增生15例,不典型导管增生7例,平坦上皮不典型性2例,导管原位癌27例;伴有2种及以上病变者19例,同时伴有4种病变者4例。对照组中普通型导管增生25例,柱状细胞变/增生5例,不典型导管增生1例。免疫组化染色显示,CK5/6在普通型导管增生中的腺系上皮细胞有明显表达,在柱状细胞变/增生、不典型导管增生、平坦上皮不典型性、导管原位癌和浸润性导管癌中不表达;CK34βE12在普通型导管增生中有大量表达,明显强于CK5/6,在1例低级导管原位癌中有灶性表达;S-100蛋白在普通型导管增生的腺系上皮细胞有明显的表达,而这些细胞不表达α-SMA,在肌上皮中的表达类似于α-SMA。在27例导管原位癌中,6例肌上皮细胞的表达弱于α-SMA,12例肌上皮细胞不表达S-100蛋白,而这些细胞对α-SMA明显表达。结论86%的浸润性乳腺癌伴有不同的导管内增生性病变,这些病变组织形态不同,免疫表型各异,但均与乳腺定向干细胞及其分化过程的免疫表型相吻合,可据此帮助诊断和鉴别诊断。     

乳腺癌组织SATB1基因表达与临床病理特征的关系

目的通过检测核基质结合区结合蛋白质1(special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1,SATB1)在不同阶段乳腺癌组织中的表达水平,探讨其在乳腺癌发生发展中的作用及意义。方法收集西安交通大学第二附属医院2010-06-01-2012-04-01乳腺组织存档蜡块标本259例,采用免疫组化SP法测定SATB1的表达,采用χ2检验分析其与乳腺癌临床病理特征的关系。结果 SATB1蛋白在正常乳腺组织、乳腺囊性增生组织、乳腺不典型增生组织(癌前病变)、非浸润性癌(导管内癌、小叶原位癌)、早期浸润性癌(浸润性导管癌、浸润性小叶癌)及浸润性乳腺癌组织中的阳性率分别为6.2%(2/32)、6.4%(3/47)、20.4%(10/49)、45.0%(9/20)、52.9%(9/17)和76.6%(72/94),后三者的阳性率明显高于前三者,P<0.05;浸润性非特殊类型乳腺癌SATB1蛋白阳性率为88.5%(54/61),明显高于浸润性特殊类型乳腺癌的54.5%(18/33)和早期浸润性乳腺癌的52.9%(9/17),P<0.05;SATB1蛋白表达在分期晚或有淋巴结转移的乳腺癌中有升高的趋势,差异有统计学意义,P<0.05。结论 SATB1蛋白在乳腺癌发生和发展不同阶段的表达呈进行性上升的趋势。预示SATB1蛋白参与乳腺癌的发生和发展,有望成为乳腺癌早期预测及治疗的重要靶标。     

端粒酶hTERT mRNA表达在乳腺癌进展中的意义及其与p53的相关性

目的 探讨端粒酶hTERT mRNA表达在人乳腺癌发生、发展中的意义,观察肿瘤抑制基因p53与hTERT mRNA表达的关系。方法 收集浸润性导管癌标本25例,导管原位癌标本18例,导管上皮不典型增生标本20例,导管上皮单纯性增生标本7例,癌旁正常乳腺组织标本12例。用原位杂交法检测hTERT mRNA表达,并用免疫组化方法检测乳腺导管癌的p53蛋白表达。结果 hTERT mRNA在癌旁正常乳腺组织、乳腺导管单纯性增生中未见表达;在导管不典型增生、导管原位癌、浸润性导管癌中的阳性率分别为25．0％、83．3％和88．0％。导管原位癌、浸润性导管癌组织hTERT mRNA表达明显高于癌旁正常乳腺组织、乳腺导管单纯性增生和导管不典型增生组织（P〈0．05）。hTERT mRNA表达与浸润性导管癌肿块大小及淋巴结转移与否无关（P〉0．05）。43例乳腺导管癌中,hTERT mRNA表达与p53蛋白表达呈正相关（r=0．5540,P〈0．01）。结论 端粒酶hTERT mRNA表达可能在乳腺导管癌的组织发生中起关键作用,半定量原位检测hTERT mRNA表达,可为导管上皮不典型增生与导管原位癌的鉴别诊断提供帮助。p53突变可能与乳腺导管癌hTERT基因转 录激活有关。     

CK5、CK8和BCRP在人乳腺病变组织中的表达及其意义

目的:探讨细胞角蛋白5(cytokeratin 5,CK5)、CK8和乳腺癌耐药蛋白(breast cancer resistance protein, BCRP)在乳腺上皮良、恶性增生病变中的表达及意义.方法:应用免疫组织化学法分别检测89例正常乳腺、乳腺增生、导管上皮非典型增生、导管原位癌和浸润性导管癌组织中CK5、CK8及BCRP的表达情况,分析CK5、CK8及BCRP的表达与乳腺病变组织分化程度之间的关系.结果: 在正常乳腺、乳腺增生、导管上皮非典型增生、导管原位癌和浸润性导管癌组织中CK5和CK8的阳性表达率逐渐下降,BCRP的阳性表达率则逐渐上升.CK5和CK8在乳腺良性增生组织(乳腺增生和导管上皮非典型增生)中的阳性表达率明显高于乳腺癌(导管原位癌和浸润性导管癌)组织(P＜0.01),BCRP在乳腺癌组织中的表达明显高于乳腺良性增生组织(P＜0.01).在乳腺浸润性导管癌中,CK5阳性表达主要集中在外层尚未受侵袭的基层细胞中,肿瘤细胞中没有表达或很少表达;CK8则主要在肿瘤细胞中表达,基层细胞中完全不表达;66.7%的浸润性导管癌患者呈CK5-/CK8+表型.结论:CK5、CK8和BCRP在不同乳腺病变组织中的表达不同,3者联合检测可能有助于乳腺病变的病理学诊断.     

HPV16/18DNA和p53、RB、MCM7蛋白在乳腺癌中的表达及意义

目的:探讨HPV16/18DNA和p53、RB、MCM7蛋白在乳腺癌中的表达及意义.方法:用原位杂交和免疫组织化学EnVision法检测30例正常乳腺组织、30例乳腺腺病、30例乳腺不典型导管上皮增生、20例乳腺导管原位癌和68例乳腺癌组织标本中HPV16/18DNA和p53、RB、MCM7蛋白的表达.结果:乳腺癌组织中HPV16/18DNA的阳性率为58.8％,明显高于正常乳腺、乳腺腺病和乳腺不典型导管上皮增生组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).在不典型导管上皮增生、导管原位癌和乳腺癌组织中HPV16/18DNA与p53和RB蛋白的表达均呈负相关(P＜0.05),而癌组中HPV 16/18DNA与MCM7蛋白表达呈正相关(r=0.750,P＜0.05).癌组中组织学G2、G3级,pTNM Ⅱ、Ⅲ期以及有淋巴结转移组中HPV16/18DNA和MCM7蛋白的阳性表达率均显著高于组织学G1级和pTNM Ⅰ期以及无淋巴结转移组(P＜0.05);与之相反,p53和RB蛋白的阳性表达率则显著降低(P＜0.05).结论:HPV16/18感染通过对p53、RB和MCM7蛋白表达调控的影响可能在高危型HPV感染后乳腺癌的发生、发展及转移进程中起到重要的作用.通过联合检测它们在乳腺癌及癌前病变中的表达以评价临床疾病进展和肿瘤生物学行为.     

TIMP-2在乳腺癌中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨组织金属蛋白酶抑制剂-2（tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2,TIMP-2）在乳腺正常组织、不典型增生、原位癌、浸润性癌组织中的表达水平,分析其与浸润性乳腺癌临床病理指标及乳腺癌生存情况之间的关系。方法:收集20例正常乳腺组织、28例不典型增生、40例导管内癌、80例浸润性乳腺癌标本,用免疫组化SP法检测各组TIMP-2的表达,分析其在浸润性乳腺癌不同临床病理指标分组中的表达差异;并通过120例乳腺癌患者的随访,分析其对乳腺癌生存状况的影响。结果:TIMP-2在乳腺正常组织（25.0%）、不典型增生组织（28.6%）、原位癌组织（60.0%）、浸润性癌组织（66.3%）中表达阳性率依次增高,在乳腺原位癌与不典型增生之间比较有统计学差异（P＜0.05）。浸润性乳腺癌TIMP-2的表达在部分组织学分级分组中比较有统计学差异（P＜0.05）,在不同月经状态、年龄、肿块大小、临床分期、淋巴结转移数目、激素受体状态分组之间无统计学差异(均P＞0.05)。原位癌TIMP-2表达阳性组5年无病生存率高于表达阴性组,有统计学差异（P＜0.05）;浸润性乳腺癌TIMP-2表达阳性组5年无病生存率与表达阴性组无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。结论:TIMP-2参与了乳腺癌发生、发展的过程,在乳腺癌不同发展阶段具有不同预后价值。     

THE EXPRESSION OF APOPTOSIS RELATED GENES IN THE PROCESS OF CANCERATION OF ATYPICAL HYPERPLASIA OF MAMMARY DUCT

Objective： To investigate the expression of apoptosis related genes p53 and bcl-2 in atypical hyperplasia of mammary duct and the relationship between the gene expression and oncogenesis of breast. Methods： mRNA of apoptosis related gene p53 and bcl-2 were detected by in situ hybridization in 44 cases of atypical ductal hyperplasia. p53 protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. The data were compared with those of 6 cases of benign hyperplasia and 26 cases of breast carcinoma. Results： The expression of p53 mRNA was 66.7% in benign hyperplasia, 40% in atypical ductal hyperplasia （55.6% in mild, 41.7% in medium, 26.1% in severe） and 19.2% in carcinoma （of which 21.4% were intraductal carcinoma and 16.7% were invasive）. The expression of p53 protein was negative in benign hyperplasia, 24% in atypical hyperplasia （mild 11.1%, medium 25%, severe 34.8%）, 38.5% in carcinoma （intraductal carcinoma 35.7%, invasive ductal carcinoma 41.7%）. The expression of bcl-2 was negative in benign hyperplasia, 78.6% in intraductal carcinoma, 83.3% in invasive ductal carcinoma. Conclusion： Loss and mutation of p53 gene and excessive expression bcl-2 mRNA were detected in severe atypical ductal hyperplasia.     

Differentiation between Cancerous and Normal Hyperplastic Lobules in Breast Lesions

Determining the risk that a particular area of hyperplastic breast tissue will progress to cancer is difficult and is currently expressed only as a general risk factor within the population. Using an antibody against the apoptotic purinergic receptor P2X7, we examined 40 cases each of the following histological categories: normal, moderate, florid and atypical hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ, ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive lobular and invasive ductal carcinoma. These were previously diagnosed by H&E and supplied by clinical laboratories as tissue sections. Normal and mildly hyperplastic epithelium was devoid of the cytolytic P2X7 receptors whereas all epithelial cells in all cases of in situ or invasive lobular or ductal carcinoma labelled intensely. The lobular and ductal in situ cases labelled intracellularly while the invasive epithelial cancer cells showed intense cell surface label indicating an attempt was being made to induce apoptosis. All these receptors however are non-functional and thus unable to induce apoptosis. Approximately 10% of all hyperplastic lobules examined in the biopsied tissue, regardless of H&E classification, labelled for P2X7, which is suggestive of early metabolic cancerous change. The acini within lobules were either completely labelled with P2X7 or were completely devoid of the receptor. A potential advantage of this method lies in identifying early cancerous change in hyperplastic lobules and in establishing the true extent of cancerous spread in infiltrating lesions, thus facilitating the task of reporting clear surgical margins.     

Nuclear morphometry of benign and malignant breast lesions

The mean nuclear area (MNA) of mammary gland epithelium was measured in 403 breast specimens, comprising 239 invasive carcinomas, 49 carcinomas in situ, 45 cases of fibrocystic disease (f.c.d.) with intraductal epithelial hyperplasia, and 60 cases of f.c.d. without intraductal hyperplasia. Normal breast tissue adjacent to other benign or malignant lesions was measured in 170 specimens. Statistical analysis revealed no difference between the MNA of invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ. The MNA of lobular and ductal carcinomas were significantly different. Significant differences were also found between ductal carcinoma and the two classes of f.c.d. The MNA of f.c.d. with and without intraductal hyperplasia were also significantly different, the former having the highest MNA. All breast lesions showed MNA significantly higher than that of normal breast epithelium. These findings show that there is a gradual increase in MNA from the baseline value of normal breast epithelium, via fibrocystic disease without and with intraductal proliferation to invasive carcinomas. Measurement of MNA may aid in pinpointing cases of intraductal epithelial hyperplasia with malignant potential.     

Possible Prognostic Role of HER2/Neu in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ and Atypical Ductal Proliferative Lesions of the Breast

HER2/neu is a well-established prognostic and predictive factor for invasive breast cancer. However, the role of HER2/neu in ductal breast carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is debated and recent data have suggested that it is mainly linked to in situ local recurrence. Although molecular data suggest that atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and duct carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are related lesions, albeit with vastly different clinical implications, the role of HER2/neu expression in atypical ductal hyperplasia is not well de ned either. The aim of this study was to evaluate over expression of HER2/neu in DCIS and cases of ADH in comparison with invasive breast carcinoma. Archival primary breast carcinoma paraf n blocks (n15), DCIS only (n10) and ductal epithelial hyperplasia and other breast benign lesions (n25) were analyzed for HER2/neu immunoexpression. Follow up was available for 40% of the patients. HER2/neu was positive in 80%of both DCIS and invasive carcinoma, and 67% of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) cases. Thus at least a subset of patients with preinvasive breast lesions were positive, which strongly suggests a role for Her2/neu in identifying high-risk patients for malignant transformation. Although these are preliminary data, which need further studies of gene ampli cation within these patients as well as a larger patient cohort with longer periods of follow up, they support the implementation of routine Her2/neu testing in patients diagnosed as pure DCIS and in orid ADH.     

Ras p21 in breast tissue: associations with pathology and cellular localisation.

Immunocytochemistry with monoclonal antibody Y13-259 demonstrated p21 ras in paraffin sections of breast tissue from 171 women: 85 with invasive breast carcinoma, 14 with non-invasive carcinoma and 72 with benign changes only. Many different tissue elements contributed to ras expression. Semiquantitative assessment showed that intensity of immunostaining in the normal epithelium of large ducts, small extralobular ducts and terminal duct lobular units (TDLU) was usually exceeded by that of myoepithelial cells. Vascular smooth muscle and apocrine epithelium also stained strongly, but the flat epithelial cells lining cysts did not express detectable p21 ras. There was a progressive increase from normal epithelium through epithelial hyperplasia of usual type and atypical hyperplasia to carcinoma in situ, without further increase in invasive carcinoma. Expression in carcinomas was inversely related to oestrogen receptor content but independent of the prognosis-associated variables of size, histological type, vascular invasion or lymph node metastasis.     

The ABO(H) cell surface antigens in carcinoma and benign lesions of the breast

The ABO(H) cell surface antigens of 13 breast carcinomas and 17 benign breast lesions were tested with a specific red cell adherence assay (SRCA). All 13 breat carcinomas, including 2 lobular carcinomas in situ and 1 noninfiltrating ductal carcinoma, had lost their ABO(H) surface antigens. Fourteen of 17 benign breast lesions had retained their ABO(H) surface antigens. The benign lesions losing their antigens were 1 case each of atypical intraductal hyperplasia, sclerosing adenosis, and intraductal papilloma. SRCA may be a predictor of which benign breast lesions are in fact premalignant.     

全数字化俯卧式X 线立体钢丝定位术在乳腺微钙化病灶中的应用价值*

目的:探讨X 线立体定位钢丝引导切取活检术（SWLB）对乳腺微钙化病灶的临床应用价值。方法:回顾性分析2007年5 月至2008年5 月南方医科大学附属深圳妇幼保健院45例行SWLB 活检的乳腺隐匿性病变,所有病例均为临床触诊阴性而乳腺X 线摄影发现微钙化病灶,将活检标本病理结果与X 线表现进行对照。结果:45例SWLB 活检组织标本病理结果中恶性病变13例（28.9%）,其中包括导管原位癌3 例（23.1%）,导管原位癌伴微浸润4例（30.8%）,浸润性导管癌5 例（38.5%）,导管内乳头状癌1 例（7.7%）;良性病变32例（71.1%）,其中包括导管上皮重度非典型增生2 例（6.3%）。 结论:SWLB 可准确引导切检临床阴性的乳腺微钙化病灶,明确乳腺微钙化的性质,提高早期乳腺癌的检出率。      

Epstein-Barr Virus and Breast Cancer: Lack of Evidence for an Association in Iranian Women

Controversies regarding the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in breast cancer and lack of published literature in this regard in Iran, prompted us to assess EBV presence in 100 breast carcinoma and 42 control biopsies obtained from Iranian women. Breast carcinoma cases were comprised of 81 invasive ductal carcinoma NOS, 9 invasive lobular carcinoma, 1 apocrine carcinoma, 2 cribriform carcinoma, 2 papillary carcinoma and 5 mucinous carcinoma. Control biopsies consisted of 13 fibroadenoma, 9 benign epithelial proliferation (adenosis and sclerosing adenosis), 9 usual ductal hyperplasia, 4 atypical ductal hyperplasia, 4 non-proliferative fibrocystic changes and 3 normal breast tissue. To identify EBV-infected cells we applied immunohistochemical analysis, using monoclonal antibody against Epstein-Barr virus-encoded nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA-2) and latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1). Further, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify EBV DNA, with primers that cover the EBV encoded RNA (EBER) and BamHIW regions. EBNA-2 and LMP-1 immunohistochemistry were negative in all breast cancer and control specimens. Using PCR, none of the 100 breast cancer samples or the 42 control specimens showed detectable EBV DNA. These results indicate that EBV may not play a significant role in the etiology of breast cancer in Iranian women.     

The expression of Fhit protein is related inversely to disease progression in patients with breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The FHIT gene, located at human chromosome 3p14.2, frequently is deleted in a number of human tumors, including breast carcinoma. Its protein product (Fhit) is presumed to have tumor suppressor function. Loss of expression of a tumor suppressor gene is an important step in tumor progression from premalignant, to in situ, to invasive carcinoma. METHODS: In the current study, Fhit expression was examined in invasive carcinomas and in epithelial lesions representing stages of carcinoma progression in 50 mastectomy specimens using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Normal ductal and lobular epithelium consistently and strongly expressed Fhit. A complete loss of or a significant reduction in Fhit expression was observed in 72% of breast carcinomas. A statistically significant, negative correlation in Fhit expression among the stages of disease progression in Fhit negative breast carcinomas was observed (normal epithelium > hyperplasia > atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma in situ > invasive carcinoma), whereas no loss of Fhit expression in precursor lesions was observed in Fhit positive tumors. CONCLUSIONS: These observations are consistent with the observed role of FHIT as a tumor suppressor gene in the pathogenesis of specific subsets of carcinomas.     

Pure flat epithelial atypia (DIN 1a) on core needle biopsy: study of 60 biopsies with follow-up surgical excision

Flat epithelial atypia (FEA) is recognized as a precursor of breast cancer and its management (surgical excision or intensive follow-up) remains unclear after diagnosis on core needle biopsy (CNB). The aim of this study was to determine the underestimation rate of pure FEA on CNB and clinical, radiological, and pathological factors of underestimation. 4,062 CNBs from 5 breast cancer centers, performed over a 5-year period, were evaluated. A CNB diagnosis of pure FEA was made in 60 cases (1.5%) (the presence of atypical ductal hyperplasia, lobular neoplasia, radial scars, phyllodes tumor, papillary lesions, ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive carcinoma at CNB were exclusion criteria), and subsequent surgical excision was systematically performed. The histological diagnosis was retrospectively reviewed using standardized criteria and the precise terminology of the World Health Organization by two pathologist physicians. At surgical excision, 6 (10%) ductal carcinoma in situ and 2 (3%) invasive carcinoma were diagnosed. The total underestimation rate was 13%. FEA was associated with atypical ductal hyperplasia in 10 (17%) cases and with lobular neoplasia in 2 (3%) at final pathology. Residual FEA was found in 14 (23%) cases. No clinical, radiological or pathological factors were significantly associated with underestimation. Our data highlight the importance of recognizing and diagnosing FEA in core needle biopsies. Thus, the presence of FEA on CNB, even in isolation, warrants follow-up excision.