The Expression of FHIT Protein in Progression of Breast Carcinoma

Purpose To investigate the possible relationship between FHIT protein (Fhit) expression and the breast tumor progression from premalignant in situ to invasive carcinoma. Methods The expression of Fhit was evaluated by using immunohistochemical methods.Studies were performed in 61 cases of invasive carcinoma, 43 cases of carcinoma in situ and atypical hyperplasia, 37 cases of hyperplasia and 42 cases of normal epithelium. Results About 90.5% normal ductal and lobular epithelium consistently and strongly expressed Fhit. A complete loss or a significant reduction was observed in 49.2% of breast carcinomas. About 32.8% breast carcinomas showed intermediate reduction of Fhit expression (P0.001). A statistically significant, negative correlation in Fhit expression among the stages of disease progression from normal to invasive carcinoma was observed (P0.05).Statistically significant differences in the presence of Fhit(-)/p53(+) and Fhit(-)/p53(-) patterns were noted in invasive carcinoma (P0.05). Conclusions The results indicate that the reduced expression of Fhit may play an important role in the development and progression of the breast carcinoma. There may be an association between expression of Fhit and p53 alteration.