Investigators at Kumamoto University target ductal carcinoma in situ
December 8th, 2008
2008 DEC 8 -- According to recent research from Honjo, Japan, "Widespread use of mammography in breast cancer screening has led to the identification of increasing numbers of patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). DCIS of the breast with an area of focal invasion 1 mm or less in diameter is defined as DCIS with microinvasion, DCIS-Mi."
"Identification of biological differences between DCIS and DCIS-Mi may aid in understanding of the nature and causes of the progression of DCIS to invasiveness. In this study, using resected breast cancer tissues, we compared pure DCIS (52 cases) and DCIS-Mi (28 cases) with regard to pathological findings of intraductal lesions, biological factors, apoptosis-related protein expression, and proliferative capacity through the use of immunohistochemistry and the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. There were no differences in biological factors between DCIS and DCIS-Mi, with respect to levels of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2. The frequency of necrosis and positive expression ratio of survivin and Bax were significantly higher in DCIS-Mi than in DCIS. In addition, apoptotic index, Ki-67 index, and positive Bcl-2 immunolabeling tended to be higher in DCIS-Mi than in DCIS. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of necrosis and positive survivin expression were independent factors associated with invasion. Compared with DCIS, DCIS-Mi is characterized by a slightly elevated cell proliferation capacity and enhanced apoptosis within the intraductal lesion, both of which are thought to promote the formation of cell necrotic foci," wrote Y. Okumura and colleagues, Kumamoto University.
The researchers concluded: "Furthermore, the differential expression of survivin may serve in deciding the response to therapy and may have some prognostic significance."
Okumura and colleagues published their study in BMC Cancer (Identification of biomarkers in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast with microinvasion. BMC Cancer, 2008;8():287).
For additional information, contact H. Iwase, Kumamoto University, Graduate School of Medicine & Pharmaceutical Science, Dept. of Breast & Endocrine Surgery, Honjo 1-1-1, Kumamoto 8608556, Japan.
Publisher contact information for the journal BMC Cancer is: Biomedical Central Ltd., Current Science Group, Middlesex House, 34-42 Cleveland St., London W1T 4LB, England.
Keywords: Japan, Honjo, Apoptosis, Biotin, Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Screening, Breast Carcinoma, Breast Carcinoma Screening, Diagnosis, Diagnostics, Dietary Supplement, Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, Micronutrient, Oncology, Protein Expression, Proteins, Proteomics, Women's Health, Kumamoto University.
This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
