Telomerase activity and apoptosis of breast cancer

Objective: To explore the relation between clinicobiological acting, telomerase activity and apoptosis of breast cancer. Methods: The intensity of telomerase activity and apoptosis of breast cancer were detected by telomeric repeat amplification protocol(TRAP) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick ending labeling (TUNEL) assay. Results: The positive rate of telomerase activity of breast cancer was 88.2%, and the apoptosis index of breast cancer was (56.7 ± 15.3)%. The intensity of telomerase activity and apoptosis of breast cancer were not related to patients' age (P > 0.05), but to the size, stage, grade of tumor, lymph node metastasis of axillary fossa, state of hormone receptor of breast cancer (P < 0.01). The greater the intensity of telomerase activity or less apoptosis, the higher the grade or stage of tumor, suggesting the poor prognosis of breast cancer. The intensity of telomerase activity was negativly correlated with apoptosis of breast cancer (r = -0.67, P < 0.01). Conclusion: The intensity of telomerase activity and cellular apoptosis are correlated with the size, grade, stage, lymph node number and hormone receptor state of breast cancer. The detection of telomerase activity and apoptosis are helpful in clinical analysis, and may become potential prognostic factor in breast cancer.