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Expression of c-kit proto-oncogene product in breast cancer tissues

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Abstract

Background

The published results on expression of c-kit in benign and malignant breast tissues vary.

Materials and Methods

The immunohistochemical expression of c-kit proto-oncogene product in 52 invasive breast cancer tissues and 16 benign breast tumor (fibroadenoma) tissues was studied using anti-c-kit proto-oncogene product antibody. Its expression was evaluated by immunoreactive score (IRS).

Results

In breast cancer tissues, the mean IRS of c-kit proto-oncogene product expression was significantly increased compared to those of fibroadenoma (3.4 ± 2 and 2.19 ± 1.8, respectively,p = 0.035). The mean IRS of c-kit expression was higher in the group comprising estrogen (ER) positive tumor than in the group of ER negative (4.1 ± 2.1 and 2.7 ± 1.8, respectively,p = 0.012) but no statistically significant relationship was seen between the expression of c-kit proto-oncogene product and other clinicopathological parameters of breast cancer, including histologic type, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, stage, progesterone receptor, c-erbB-2 expression, menopausal status and age of the patient (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Our results show that a high level of c-kit expression occurs frequently in invasive breast cancer, and its expression is associated with ER but unrelated to other clinico-pathological variables.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Numune State Hospital SelÇuklu, 42050, Konya, Turkey

    Aydan Eroğlu (Dr., Associated Professor of Surgery)

  2. Department of Pathology, Numune State Hospital, Konya, Turkey

    Aliye Sari (Specialist of Pathology)

Authors
  1. Aydan Eroğlu
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  2. Aliye Sari
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Correspondence to Aydan Eroğlu.

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Eroğlu, A., Sari, A. Expression of c-kit proto-oncogene product in breast cancer tissues. Med Oncol 24, 169–174 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02698036

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02698036

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