Correlation between clinico-pathological characteristics, Ki67 and p53 expression in triple negative and non-triple negative breast cancer – A single center experience

Abstract

Aim: The aims of our study were to compare clinicopathological characteristics, Ki-67 and p53 expression between triple-negative (TN) and non-TN invasive breast carcinomas. Introduction: TN breast cancer is associated with a higher histologic grade, shorter survival, and a higher recurrence rate. TN tumors usually express high levels of p53 and Ki67 that is currently considered prognostic markers for patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of consecutive 189 breast carcinoma cases analyzed in our department in 2013 were included in this study. Clinicopathological characteristics such as age, tumor (pT), nodal status (pN), and grade, and Ki-67 and p53 expression were compared between the TN and non-TN groups using Pearson's chi-square and Student's t-test. Results: Mean age for the two groups was 59 years, and vary between 36 and 84, and there was no significant difference in the groups. There was no significant difference in the pT between TN and non-TN group. G (p<0.05) and pN (p<0.01) were significantly higher than that in the non-TN group. Ki-67 expression in the TN group was significantly higher than that in the non-TN group (p<0.01), and significantly correlated with the G (p<0.01), but not with pT and pN. p53 expression in the TN group was significantly higher (p<0.01), but was not significantly correlated with pT, pN and G. Conclusions: TN breast carcinomas have higher grade and nodal status, and they are associated with significantly higher expression of Ki-67 and p53 compared with non-TN tumors.