Association of Tissue Selenium Level and p53 Expression in Breast Cancer

Background and Objective: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, which alone accounts for 30% of all new cancer cases in women. The development of cancer is a multistep process.  The complex series of cellular and molecular changes participating in cancer development are mediated by a diversity of stimuli such as Oxidative stress that is known to cause DNA damage and mutations of tumor suppressor genes which are critical initial events in carcinogenesis. The tumor suppressor p53 plays important roles in the senescence response to DNA damage. On the other hand, Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that consistent with the decreased DNA damage and increased apoptosis. The aim of our study was evaluating the Association of tissue selenium level and p53 expression in breast cancer. Method:Our study population consists of 30 breast cancer patients. We had collected their tumor tissues. We examined expression of p53 by using immunohistochemistry and selenium level by atomic absorption in breast cancer patients, and divided patients into two groups with negative and positive P53. Results:About 36.67% of the samples were positive for P53 expression. Mean level of tissue selenium in tumors for positive and negative P53 were 203.16 µg/l and 230.92 µg/l, respectively. So, there was no significant association between selenium level and P53 expression. (p>0.005) Conclusion:There is no Association of tissue selenium level and p53 expression in breast cancer. Keyword:Selenium, P53, breast cancer