From genes to clinical practice – the role of immunohistochemistry in the classification of breast carcinomas
F. Ultimescu, M. Mitran, A. Potecă, E. Brătilă, M. Olinca
Rezumat: Breast cancer is a complex disease that can be caused by a
combination of genetic and environmental factors. Several
genes have been identified to be associated with an increased
risk of breast cancer, including BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PTEN
and others. These genes can be tested for mutations in order
to assess an individual’s risk of developing
breast cancer.
Immunohistochemistry
(IHC) plays a significant role in
personalized
breast cancer treatment by providing information
on the specific proteins and biomarkers
present in a
patient’s tumor. This information can help guide treatment
decisions and improve outcomes. Immunohistochemistry
is
used to determine the expression levels
of several
proteins,
including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone
receptor (PR)
and human epidermal growth factor receptor
2 (HER2). ER and PR are hormone receptors that are commonly
expressed in breast cancer cells. Their expression levels
are important for determining treatment options, as hormone therapy can be effective in patients whose tumors express these receptors.
HER2, on the other hand, is a growth factor receptor which is
overexpressed in some breast cancers. HER2-positive tumors
can be treated with targeted therapy drugs such as trastuzumab.
In addition to ER, PR and HER2, IHC can also be used to
assess the expression of other markers in breast cancer, such
as Ki-67, a marker of cellular proliferation, and cytokeratins,
which are intermediate filaments found in epithelial cells. This
information can help determine the aggressiveness of the
tumor and the likelihood of response to certain treatments.
Overall, the identification of breast cancer genes and the use
of immunohistochemistry to assess protein expression levels
are important tools for the diagnosis and treatment of breast
cancer. Cuvinte cheie: breast cancer, Her2-positive, luminal A, luminal B, subtypes of breast cancer, basal-like.