BACKGROUND
Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a recently identified mitochondrial inner membrane anion carrier and a negative regulator of reactive oxygen species production. In this study, we evaluated the characteristics and relationships of UCP2 and p53 expression in breast cancer tissues.
METHODS
Tissue microarray slides from 107 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast were constructed, UCP2 and p53 immunohistochemical staining was conducted, and clinicopathological correlations were investigated.
RESULTS
UCP2 expression in invasive ductal carcinoma was high in 53 cases (49.5%), while p53 expression in invasive ductal carcinoma was high in 37 cases (34.6%). UCP2 expression was correlated significantly with histological grade (p = 0.038) and mitotic count (p = 0.050). UCP2 expression was correlated significantly with p53 expression in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast (p = 0.045). UCP2 expression (p = 0.8308) and p53 expression (p = 0.3292) showed no significant difference for the overall survival rate in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma.
CONCLUSIONS
UCP2 expression in invasive ductal carcinoma increased proportionally with histological grade and mitotic count. High UCP2 expression in invasive ductal carcinoma was observed in conjunction with high p53 expression.