Telomerase activity and prognosis in breast cancer

Aims: Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme which appears to play an imp ortant role in carcinogenesis. Its reactivation is associated with the acqu isition of immortalization and malignancy. The present study aims to examin e the association between telomerase activity and prognosis in breast cance r. Methods: Using a PCR-based assay, we retrospectively examined telomerase ac tivity in 45 frozen human breast cancer specimens. Telomerase activity was compared with histopathological and clinical data. Results: Telomerase activity was detected in 20 (44%) of 45 cases and was a ssociated with advanced histopathological grade and tumour type (ductal vs, lobular). The association with these histological parameters was statistic ally significant (chi-squared test: P<0.05). There was no significant diffe rence in the overall survival rate (78 vs. 77%) or disease-free survival (7 3 vs. 69%) at 5 years (Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test: P>0.05). Conclusions: The present results indicate that telomerase activity in human breast cancer is not associated with nodal status or disease outcome.