Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama/metabolismo , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Imuno-Histoquímica/métodos , Receptor ErbB-2/análise , Receptores de Estrogênio/análise , Receptores de Progesterona/análise , Análise Serial de Tecidos/métodos , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Receptor ErbB-2/metabolismo , Receptores de Estrogênio/metabolismo , Receptores de Progesterona/metabolismo , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , SudãoRESUMO
Basal-like breast cancer, an aggressive subtype associated with high grade, poor prognosis, and younger age, is reported frequently in Africa. We analyzed the expression of the basal cytokeratins (CKs) 5/6 and 17 in a case series from Central Sudan and investigated correlations among basal CK status, ER, PgR, and Her-2/neu, and individual/clinicopathological data. Of 113 primary breast cancers 26 (23%), 38 (34%), and 46 (41%) were, respectively, positive for CK5/6, CK17, and combined basal CKs (CK5/6 and/or CK17). Combined basal CK+ status was associated with higher grade (P < .03) and inversely correlated with ER (P < .002), PgR (P = .004) and combined ER and/or PgR (P < .0002). Two clusters based on all tested markers were generated by hierarchical cluster analysis and k-mean clustering: I: designated "hormone receptors positive/luminal-like" and II: designated "hormone receptors negative", including both basal-like and Her-2/neu+ tumors. The most important factors for dataset variance were ER status, followed by PgR, CK17, and CK5/6 statuses. Overall basal CKs were expressed in a fraction of cases comparable to that reported for East and West African case series. Lack of associations with age and tumor size may represent a special feature of basal-like breast cancer in Sudan.