IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF P53 AND ITS CORRELATION TO THE OTHER PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN BREAST CANCER

Abstract- Involvement of genetic alterations in breast cancer, one of the most common types of female malignancies, has been well documented. Among the possible alterations, mutations in several genes including p53 as an important prognostic factor, have been extensively studied. Mutated p53 protein has longer half-life than the wild type protein that is detectable by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Our study included 72 tumor samples from unselected Iranian breast cancer patients. Tissue samples were stained with H & E to determine the histopathological type and malignancy grade of patients ' tumors. Nuclear p53 protein levels were also determined in tissue samples by IHC using DO-7 anti-p53 antibody. We also investigated correlation between p53 immunostaining and other prognostic factors. Results of our study indicated that the pattern of p53 immunostaining was significantly related to high malignancy grade (p=0.08) and age at diagnosis above 45 years (p=0.03). In conclusion, results of the present study indicated the validity and simplicity of application of IHC in determining the status of p53 protein. Our data support the results of other studies that have suggested that over expression of p53 protein can be considered as an indicator of increased malignancy potential and worse prognosis in breast cancer patients.