Immunohistochemical analysis of ki 67 in breast carcinoma- A survey in Indian population

Abstract

Breast cancers are widely prevalent in females worldwide and their diagnosis is effectively facilitated by the analysis of various hormone receptors and certain biomarkers. One of the key biomarkers is the proliferation marker Ki-67 which is a nucleoprotein used for predicting these cancers. This study was carried out to analyse the pattern of presentation of Ki-67 in breast cancer.This cross-sectional, retrospective, record based study was carried out among 100 resected breast cancer specimens. Haemotoxylin and Eosin stained slide cut from formalin fixed paraffin wax embedded, resected specimens of breast carcinoma were analyzed. The histological diagnosis of tumor was diagnosed as per WHO classification. The positive or negative immunohistochemical expression of Estrogen, progesterone and Androgen receptors in addition were evaluated using standard protocol. Ki-67 expression was also analyzed and correlated with the hormonal receptor presentation.Ki-67 was graded as <14% and >14%. Significantly high expression of Ki-67 was witnessed in 61% of the specimens. As far as the other biomarkers were examined, negative expressions of ER, PR, Her2neu and AR were strongly correlating to Ki-67 expression (90.5%. 86.8%, 81.1% and 100%) respectively. However, the observed difference was statistically not significant when compared to the other biomarkers but statistically significant as an independent prognostic marker.Our study has succinctly elaborated that Ki-67 can be used as an efficient and independent biomarker to determine the survival outcomes of breast cancers. Considering its role in establishing therapeutic protocols, further research is required to evaluate the impact of Ki-67 expression at the molecular level.