Abstract:

Objective: This study explores the correlation between the expression of E-cadherin, p53 tumor suppressor gene, c-erb-B2 (HER-2/neu) and steroid receptors (ER, PgR) in invasive ductal breast carcinoma with axillary lymph node metastases. Patients and Methods: We have investigated tumor samples from sixty patients with invasive ductal breast carcinoma. 30 of the patients had axillary lymph node metastases and 30 had no axillary lymph node metastases. Tumor tissues of these patients were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for E-cadherin, p53, c-erb-B2 (HER-2/neu) and steroid receptors (ER, PgR).  Results: E-cadherin staining was not expressed in 39 patients (65%) with invasive ductal breast carcinoma. ER, PgR, p53, and c-erb-B2 signals were positive in 36 (60%), 26 (43.3%), 33 (55%), and 29 (48.3%) of the patients, respectively. PgR and c-erb-B2 expression was associated with lymph node metastases (p=0.009, p=0.001, respectively). No association was found between the reduced E-cadherin protein and age. The presence of E-cadherin was associated with axillary lymph node metastases and p53 (p<0.009, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: We found that, the p53 protein may play a role in regulation of E-cadherin protein expression in invasive ductal breast carcinomas with axillary lymph node metastases. Keywords: Breast carcinoma, E-cadherin, p53, c-erb-B2, ER, PgR, Metastases

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