The numbers of monotonous clusters with p63 differed significantly between benign lesions, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)/lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and invasive carcinomas (P < 0.001).
Samples (n = 34) from patients with benign sclerosing lesions (n = 11), ductal carcinoma in situ (n = 13) and adenomyoepithelial lesions (n = 10) and associated normal breast tissues (n = 31) were selected to evaluate the differential expression of p40 and p63 using immunohistochemistry.
These results suggest that further research is warranted into the role of myoepithelial cell p63 and calponin expression on DCIS progression to invasive disease.
The results suggest an association between loss of p63 expression and progression of breast ductal carcinoma. p63 immunostaining might be of assistance for distinguishing invasive ductal carcinoma from ductal carcinoma in situ or rare questionable ductal hyperplastic lesions, leading to correct therapy clinically.