Htert, MMP1, Her2 Expressions by Preneoplastic Lesions and Breast Cancer Risk

10510 Background: Although it is well established that preneoplastic lesions are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, there is no available tool to identify which patients will develop breast cancer. Telomerase, matrix metalloprotease 1 (MMP1) and Her2 have all been involved in the early steps of carcinogenesis. In the present study, we have looked at whether the expression of hTert, MMP1 and her2 in preneoplastic lesions were associated with higher risk of breast cancer. METHODS hTert, MMP1 and Her2 expressions by preneoplastic lesions were determined by immunohistochemistry in 34 patients who have subsequently developed a breast cancer (cases), and in 32 patients who did not present breast cancer in the follow-up (control). Patients were matched for age, length of follow-up and type of preneoplastic lesion. The expression of the three biomarkers was compared in the two groups. The initially planned sample size of the study was 90 matched patients, but only 66 samples could be proceed for technical reasons. RESULTS Median age was 47 and 49 years old in patients with and without further cancer respectively. In the group of patients who subsequently developed breast cancer (cases), preneoplastic lesions consisted in lobular hyperplasia or lobular in situ carcinoma in 17 cases, ductal atypical hyperplasia in 12 cases and mixed lesions in 5 cases. In the control group, preneoplastic lesions consisted in lobular hyperplasia or lobular in situ carcinoma in 18 cases, ductal atypical hyperplasia in 12 cases, mixed lesions in 2 cases. The median interval between the diagnosis of preneoplastic lesion and the occurrence of breast cancer was 72 months (17-291). hTert was expressed in 8 (27%) and 2 (7%) assessable lesions in cases and controls respectively (p = 0.04). MMP1 was expressed in 21 (65%) and 22 (73%) assessable lesions in cases and control respectively (p = 0.49). Her2 was expressed in 6 preneoplastic lesions both in cases and controls (20%). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that hTert expression by preneoplastic lesions could be associated with an increased risk breast cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.