Expression of p53 Protein and its Relation to Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors Status in Breast Cancer

DOI: 10.5176/2315-4330_WNC14.61

Authors: Rashidah S, Hairil Rashmizal AR, Wan Mazlina MS

Abstract: Overexpression of p53 protein involves in variety of human malignancies including breast cancer. Epidemiologic studies have suggested that hormonal receptors may influence breast cancer risk including the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR). The purpose of this study is to determine the association between hormonal receptors and p53 status in malignant breast cancer tissues. A total of 127 breast cancer tissues were tested using immunohistochemistry (IHC) for p53 protein expression. 47/127 breast cancer tissues had p53 positive protein and 20/47 showed positive ER (p53+, ER+). A significant association between p53 and ER was observed (χ2=13.37, d.f.=1, p=0.001). Twenty-three (48.9{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}) of the breast cancer tissues had overexpression of p53 and positive PR; (p53+, PR+). These two hormonal risk factors were significantly associated (χ2=11.16, d.f.=1, p=0.000), which may be due to the role of p53 in directly regulating with ER in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, a positive association between p53 protein and PR+ could strengthen the role of ER in inducing the excretion of progesterone hormone. ER and PR receptors are included in breast cancer reports because of their efficacy in assisting physician for treatment management and prognosis of breast cancer patients. By including p53 protein as a biomarker in breast cancer report along with the two hormonal receptors may lead to a significance prognostic and better treatment with higher survival rate among sub-types of breast cancer patients.

Keywords: p53 protein expression, hormonal receptors, breast cancer