Telomerase activity and prognosis in breast cancer

AimsTelomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme which appears to play an important role in carcinogenesis. Its reactivation is associated with the acquisition of immortalization and malignancy. The present study aims to examine the association between telomerase activity and prognosis in breast cancer.MethodsUsing a PCR-based assay, we retrospectively examined telomerase activity in 45 frozen human breast cancer specimens. Telomerase activity was compared with histopathological and clinical data.ResultsTelomerase activity was detected in 20 (44%) of 45 cases and was associated with advanced histopathological grade and tumour type (ductalvs. lobular). The association with these histological parameters was statistically significant (chi-squared testP<0.05). There was no significant difference in the overall survival rate (78vs. 77%) or disease-free survival (73vs. 69%) at 5 years (Kaplan–Meier method, log-rank testP>0.05).ConclusionsThe present results indicate that telomerase activity in human breast cancer is not associated with nodal status or disease outcome.