Relationship between expression of p27^Klp1 and cell proliferation in breast carcinoma tissues

Objective: To study the expression of inhibiting protein of cell cycle-p27^Kip1 and its significance in breast carcinoma, and explore the relationship between p27^Kip1 expression and cell proliferation. Methods: Archival breast carcinomas (n=80) and normal breast epithelia (n=20) were investigated for p27^Kip1 and PCNA expression by immunohistochemistry using specific monoclonal antibody. Results: p27^Kip1 expression rate in breast carcinoma (53.75%) was significantly different from that in benign breast epithelia (P<0.01). p27^Kip1 expression level was correlated with the histological grade, TNM stage and lymphnode metastasis, P<0.05. The expression of p27^Kip1 was negatively correlated with PCNA LI (r= - 0.372, P < 0.05). The 5-year DFS of the high-expression group was significantly higher than that of the low-expression group in breast cancer (P<0.05). Conclusions: The low expression of p27^Kip1 can promote the activity of cell proliferation. p27^Kip1 may be a useful marker for reflecting tumor malignant behavior and estimating the prognosis of human breast carcinoma.