Immunohistochemical Expression of p53 and p63 in Adenomas and Carcinomas of Canine Mammary Glands

Erika M. Terra, Marcela M. M. P. Rodrigues, Geórgia M. Magalhaes, Mirela T. Costa, Renée L. Amorim, Noeme S. Rocha

Pathology Veterinary Department, Sao Paulo State University, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Veterinary Clinics and Surgery Department, Sao Paulo State University, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Veterinary Clinics Department, Sao Paulo State University, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

DOI: 10.4236/ojvm.2012.21004                

Abstract

Mammary tumors are very common in female dogs and its prognosis varies significantly according to the tumor invasion degree. Myoepithelial layer destruction is considered a differential diagnosis parameter of in situ from invasive lesions in human breast cancer. Aiming to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of p63, a protein specifically expressed by myoepithelial cells of mammary gland, and its correlation with p53 expression, 10 adenomas and 20 carcinomas with and without metastasis of canine mammary gland were studied. There was no significant difference between adenomas and carcinomas for both proteins staining, however, the percentage and continuity of staining was lower in metastatic carcinomas. There was no correlation between p53 and p63 expression, but the higher values of p53 staining were found in carcinomas, according to previous studies. Results showed that p63 is specifically expressed also in myoepithelial cells of canine mammary gland. However, in order to ensure its use as a prognostic marker in canine mammary tumors, further studies involving a higher number of samples should be conducted.

Keywords

Bitches; Mammary Tumor; Prognostic Marker

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	C. R. Daleck, P. H. Franceschini, A. C. Alessi, A. E. Santana and M. I. M. Martins, “Aspectos Clínico e Cirúrgico do Tumor Mamário Canino,” Ciência Rural, Vol. 28, No. 1, 1998, pp. 95-100. doi:10.1590/S0103-84781998000100016
[2]	S. Rodaski and C. H. Piekarz, “Epidemiologia e Etiologia do Cancer,” In: C. R. Daleck, A. B. De Nardi and S. Rodaski, Eds., Oncologia em Caes e Gatos, Roca, Sao Paulo, 2008, pp. 1-22.
[3]	B. G. Hollier, K. Evans and S. A. Mani, “The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Stem Cells: A Coalition against Cancer Therapies,” Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia, Vol. 14, No. 1, 2009, pp. 29-43. doi:10.1007/s10911-009-9110-3
[4]	J. E. Moulton, “Tumors of the Mammary Gland,” In: J. E. Moulton, Ed., Tumors in Domestic Animals, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1990, pp. 518-552.
[5]	W. Misdorp, R. Else, E. Hellman, et al., “Histologic Classification of Mammary Tumors of the Dog and Cat,” In: World Health Organization International Histological Classification of Tumors of Domestic Animals, Series 2, Vol. 7, No. 2, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington DC, 1999.
[6]	J. Morris, “Improving the Diagnoses and Treatment of Canine Mammary Tumors: Immunohistochemical Markers as Prognostic Tools,” The Veterinary Journal, Vol. 184, No. 1, 2010, pp. 3-4. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.07.003
[7]	A. Ribeiro-Silva, L. N. Z. Ramalho, S. B. Garcia and S. Zucoloto, “The Relationship Between p63 and p53 Expression in Normal and Neoplastic Breast Tissue,” Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Vol. 127, No. 3, 2003, pp. 336-340.
[8]	D. Stefanou, A. Batistatou, A. Nonni, E. Arkoumani and N. J. Agnantis, “p63 Expression in Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions,” Histology and Histopathology, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2004, pp. 465-471.
[9]	A. J. Levine, “p53, the Cellular Gatekeeper for Growth and Division,” Cell, Vol. 88, No. 3, 1997, pp. 323-331.
[10]	G. S. Goodsell, “The Molecular Perspective: p53 Tumor Suppressor,” The Oncologist, Vol. 4, No. 2, 1999, pp. 138- 139.
[11]	M. Levrero, V. De Laurenzi, A. Constanzo, S. Sabatini, J. Gong, J. Y. J. Wang, and G. Melino, “The p53/p63/p73 Family of Transcription Factors: Overlapping and Distinct Functions,” Journal of Cell Science, Vol. 113, 2000, pp. 1661-1670.
[12]	A. C. Bertagnolli, G. D. Cassali, M. C. L. S. Genelhu, F. A. Costa, J. F. C. Oliveira and P. B. D. Goncalves, “Immunohistochemical Expression of p63 and ΔNp63 in Mixed Tumors of Canine Mammary Glands and Its Relation with p53 Expression,” Veterinary Pathology, Vol. 46, No. 3, 2009, pp. 407-415. doi:10.1354/vp.08-VP-0128-C-FL
[13]	R. M. Gamblin, J. E. Sagartz and C. G. Couto, “Overexpression of p53 Tumor Suppressor Protein in Spontaneously Arising Neoplasms of Dogs,” American Journal of Veterinary Research, Vol. 58, No. 8, 1997, pp. 857-863.
[14]	C. H. Lee, W. H. Kim, J. H. Lim, M. S. Kang, D. Y. Kim and O. K. Kweon, “Mutation and Overexpression of p53 as a Prognostic Factor in Canine Mammary Tumors,” Journal of Veterinary Science, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2004, pp. 63- 69.