Comparison of Modified Scarff-Bloom-Richardson Grading System with p16 and bcl-2 Expression in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Abstract

Aim: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women. The p16INK4a and bcl-2 genes are the two major pathways involved in control of the cell cycle. They also play key roles in breast carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated the relationships between the histopathologic parameters in the “Modified ScarffBloom-Richardson” microscopic grading and expression of p16 and bcl-2 gene in cases with invasive ductal carcinoma. Methods: We examined 88 patients who were diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma between 2011 and 2013 in Haseki Educational and Research Hospital Pathology Department. Immunohistochemical staining for p16 and bcl-2 was performed. Results: Increased expression of p16 gene was statistically significantly related with increased tubule formation, pleomorfism, mitosis rate and histological grade (p=0.008, p=0.001, p=0.005, and p<0.001, respectively). We found a statistically significant relationship of the rise of the expression of bcl-2 gene with decreased mitosis rate and histological grade (p=0.026 and p=0.024, respectively). Conclusion: As a result, it was observed that there was a positive correlation between parameters included in Modified ScarffBloom-Richardson grading system with p16 in addition to negative correlation with bcl-2 expression. p16 and bcl-2 are important prognostic biomarkers in human breast cancer. (The Medical Bulletin of Haseki 2015; 53:229-36)

Keywords

• Invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast
• p16 (ink4a)
• bcl