Expression of Survivin, Mutant p53 and C-erbB-2 in Breast Cancer and Its Clinical Significance

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the expression of survivin and mutant p53, C-erbB-2 proteins in breast cancer to explore the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods: The expression of survivin, mutant p53, and C-erbB-2 was detected in 62 specimens of breast carcinoma by using streptavidin-peroxidase (SP) immunocytochemical assay. Results: Among the 62 cases of breast carcinoma, the positive rate of survivin was 67.7%; 35.5% of the tumors were positive for p53; and 37.1% for C-erbB-2 overexpression. Survivin expression was independent on patient’s menopausal status, tumor histology, clinical stage, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and estrogen receptor level. Although survivin expression was not correlated with p53 mutations, the positive expression of survivin was associated with C-erbB-2 overexpression (87.0% vs 56.4%, P<0.05). Conclusion: The positive expression of survivin was independent on p53 mutation, but dependent on the overexpression of C-erbB-2. C-erbB-2 might up-regulate the expression of survivin.