Phosphohistone 3 (PHH3) and lactate dehydrogenase 5 (LDH5) are expressed in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: possible clinical implications

Background: Proliferation and pre-malignancy are typical features of DCIS. The expression of PHH3 as a marker for proliferation and LDH 5 as an indicator for oxygen independent energy metabolism was investigated in order to assess their potential for an improved characterisation of these lesions. Methods: Archived tissue blocks and clinical records of 130 patients with DCIS. Immunohistochemistry for PHH3, LDH5, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human EGF receptor 2 (HER2). Silverstein nuclear grading. Chi Square test for all factors. Results: Percentage of positive patients was 69% for PHH3, 94% for LDH5, 76% for ER, 67% for PR, and 21% for HER2. Significant correlation was seen between PHH3 and LDH5 expression. No correlation could be found for any of the other comparisons. Conclusion: This is the first description of PHH3 and LDH5 in DCIS. The biological significance of PHH3 remains to be determined in a larger set ofpatients. LDH5 may be a useful diagnostic marker in the future. Positive HER2 receptors were considerably less frequent than previously reported.