Clinicopathological relevance of Ki-67 expression and its association with immunoprofile in breast cancer

Ankita Sharma; Neelam Sharma; Lalita Negi; Reetika Sharma; Anupam Parashar; Puneet Mahajan

doi:10.18203/2349-3259.ijct20262505

Authors

Ankita Sharma Department of Pathology, IGMC, Shimla, H. P., India
Neelam Sharma Department of Pathology, IGMC, Shimla, H. P., India
Lalita Negi Department of Pathology, IGMC, Shimla, H. P., India
Reetika Sharma Department of Pathology, IGMC, Shimla, H. P., India
Anupam Parashar Department of Community Medicine, IGMC, Shimla, H.P., India
Puneet Mahajan Department of Surgery, IGMC, Shimla, H. P. India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3259.ijct20262505

Keywords:

Breast carcinoma, Ki-67, Proliferation index, ER, PR, HER2/neu, Prognostic markers

Abstract

Background: Ki-67 is a widely used proliferation marker in breast carcinoma; however, its prognostic relevance remains inconsistent due to variability in assessment and lack of standardized cut-offs. Its correlation with established clinicopathological parameters and hormone receptor status continues to be an area of active investigation. Objectives were to evaluate Ki-67 expression and determine its association with clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical markers (ER, PR, HER2/neu) in invasive breast carcinoma.

Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 88 cases of primary invasive breast carcinoma. Ki-67 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and categorized as low (<20%) or high (≥20%). Associations with tumor size, grade, lymph node status, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and hormone receptor status were analyzed using Chi-square/Fisher’s exact test. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: High Ki-67 expression (≥20%) was observed in 44.3% of cases. Significant associations were noted between high Ki-67 expression and larger tumor size (p=0.018), higher histological grade (p=0.013), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.001), perineural invasion (p=0.002), and HER2/neu positivity (p=0.001). No significant association was found with age, lymph node metastasis, ER status, PR status, combined ER/PR status, or triple marker status.

Conclusions: Ki-67 expression demonstrates significant association with adverse pathological features and HER2/neu positivity, supporting its role as an adjunct prognostic marker in invasive breast carcinoma. Incorporation of Ki-67 into routine evaluation may enhance risk stratification, particularly in resource-limited settings; however, standardization of assessment methods remains essential for its optimal clinical utility.

Author Biography

Anupam Parashar, Department of Community Medicine, IGMC, Shimla, H.P., India

Professor and Head, Department of CFM, IGMC Shimla

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