[Expression of telomerase genes in mamary atypical ductal hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of telomerase genes and the malignant transformation of atypical mammary ductal hyperplasia. METHODS: Telomerase genes hTR and hTRT in 50 cases of mammary hyperplasia (the cases included 6 benign hyperplasia, 9 mild atypical hyperplasia, 12 medium atypical hyperplasia, 23 severe atypical hyperplasia) and 26 cases of breast carcinoma were detected by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The expression of hTR and hTRT mRNA were weak or negative in benign hyperplasia (1/6, 0), weaker in mild-moderate atypical hyperplasia (2/9, 1/9, 4/12, and 3/12), strong in severe atypical hyperplasia (14/23, 60.9% and 12/23, 52.1%), while very strong expression (23/26, 88.5% and 21/25, 80.8%) in carcinoma of the breast. The difference between mild-moderate atypical hyperplasia, invasive ductal carcinoma and severe atypical hyperplasia was significant (P < 0.05) and the difference between severe atypital hyperplasia and intraductal carcinoma was not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Telmerase genes (hTR, hTRT) expression is closely related to the malignant transformation of atypical hyperplasia. The reactivated telomerase may play a crucial role in the development of breast cancer.