Relation between Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Status with p53, Ki67 and Her-2 Markers in Patients with Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, containing approximately one third of all illnesses in women. Assessment of molecular markers is valuable in predicting the outcome of disease and decision making for optimal treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between estrogen and progesterone receptors with Her-2, Ki67, P53, and clinicopathological factors in breast carcinoma. Methods:184 patients with breast cancer were chosen and immunohistochemistry was used for expression of p53 protein, Her-2, Estrogen receptor, Progesterone receptor and Ki67 in breast tissues. For statistical analysis, Pearson’s Chi-square tes and Spearman’s rho were used. Results: Positive staining of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Her-2, Ki67 and p53 was found in 63%, 53.8%, 54.6%, 56.2% and 42% respectively. Also there was reverse relation between estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor with Her-2 (P<0.05), but there was no relation between estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor with p53 and Ki67 (P>0.05). Also over-expression estrogen receptor was significantly associated with decreased lymph node metastasis and malignancy grade (P<0.05). Also over-expression of progesterone receptor was significantly associated with decreased malignancy grade (P<0.05). Conclusion: Breast cancer progression is often associated with alterations in expressions of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER-2/neu, p53, and Ki67 and reverse association between hormones receptors and HER2 leads to lower or absent hormone receptors in women with HER2 positive breast cancers. Also positive estrogen receptor status can be associated with better survival in these patients.