Immunohistochemical Expression of B Cell Lymphoma2 with Clinicopathological Correlation in Triple Negative Breast Cancers in Northern Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are high grade aggressive tumors generally with a poor prognosis, not responding to hormonal and anti Her2 Neu therapy. Expression of the antiapoptotic B cell lymphoma 2 gene (Bcl2) is associated with low grade, slowly proliferating hormone receptor positive tumors with improved survival. Anti Bcl2 agents can be used as alternative targeted therapy in triple negative cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The objective of this study was to determine the immunohistochemical expression of Bcl2 in triple negative breast cancers and any correlation with clinicopathological variables in Northern Pakistan.

RESULTS: All 52 patients were females, aged between 28 and 80 years(average 48.0±12.1). 28 cases (53.8%) were positive for Bcl2, this being associated with low grade invasive ductal carcinomas, lymph node metastasis and lymphovascular invasion.

CONCLUSIONS: Bcl2 may be an important prognostic factor and its expression might be used for targeted therapy using Anti Bcl2 drugs.