[Telomerase activity in breast carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the significance of telomerase activity in breast carcinoma with respect to axillary lymph node status.

METHODS

Telomerase activity was analyzed in 88 breast carcinomas specimens and 16 benign breast lesions, using PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay.

RESULTS

Telomerase activity was detected in 75 (85.2%) of 88 breast carcinomas (including three breast carcinomas in situ which were all positive for telomerase activity), whereas in benign breast lesions analyzed only 2 (12.5%) of 16 cases were positive (P < 0.001). Besides, telomerase activity was significantly higher in node-positive breast carcinomas (93.2%) than in node-negative ones (77.3%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that telomerase activation plays an important role during breast carcinoma progression. It may serve as an early marker of breast carcinoma.