High Ki67 expression, HER2 overexpression, and low progesterone receptor levels in high-grade DCIS: significant associations with clinical practice implications

Simple summaryWe investigated the role of Ki67, a ubiquitous marker in cancer, within the context of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a precursor of invasive breast cancer. Through rigorous analysis of histopathological and immunopathological samples from a substantial cohort, this study revealed ro...

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Main Authors: Hossein Schandiz, Lorant Farkas, Daehoon Park, Yan Liu, Solveig N. Andersen, Torill Sauer, Jürgen Geisler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1467664/full
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author Hossein Schandiz
Hossein Schandiz
Lorant Farkas
Lorant Farkas
Daehoon Park
Yan Liu
Yan Liu
Solveig N. Andersen
Torill Sauer
Jürgen Geisler
Jürgen Geisler
author_facet Hossein Schandiz
Hossein Schandiz
Lorant Farkas
Lorant Farkas
Daehoon Park
Yan Liu
Yan Liu
Solveig N. Andersen
Torill Sauer
Jürgen Geisler
Jürgen Geisler
author_sort Hossein Schandiz
collection DOAJ
description Simple summaryWe investigated the role of Ki67, a ubiquitous marker in cancer, within the context of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a precursor of invasive breast cancer. Through rigorous analysis of histopathological and immunopathological samples from a substantial cohort, this study revealed robust correlations between heightened Ki67 expression, diminished progesterone (PR) levels, and HER2 overexpression, indicative of aggressive DCIS phenotypes. These findings offer novel insights into the surrogate immunomolecular subtyping landscape of DCIS, potentially refining risk stratification and therapeutic approaches. This elucidation underscores the translational significance of Ki67 as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in DCIS, with implications for personalized treatment paradigms and patient outcomes.BackgroundThe Ki67 proliferation index is widely used in various tumors, including invasive breast carcinoma (IBC). However, its prognostic utility is often constrained by technical complexity. Its diagnostic and clinical significance in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains uncertain. We studied Ki67 immunohistochemistry interobserver diagnostic agreement at different cutoff values in high-grade DCIS. Additionally, we investigated the associations between Ki67 expression, PR levels, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in high-grade DCIS among various subtypes (Luminal (Lum) A, LumB HER2-, LumB HER2+, HER2-enriched, and triple-negative)).MethodsUsing histopathological specimens from 484 patients diagnosed with DCIS between 1996 and 2018, we implemented the 2013 St. Gallen recommendations for surrogate immunomolecular subtyping of IBC. Subtypes were classified, and the Ki67 interobserver diagnostic agreement between Counting Pathologist 1 (CP1) and CP2 was calculated using Cohen’s kappa coefficient at various cutoff values.ResultsThe Cohen’s kappa coefficient for interobserver agreement between CP1 and CP2 was κ = 0.586, indicating moderate agreement. Ki67 levels varied significantly among subtypes (p < 0.0001), with a median Ki67% being higher in cases with invasive components (p = 0.0351). Low PR combined with high Ki67% was significantly associated with HER2 overexpression (p = 0.0107).ConclusionsInterobserver agreement for the Ki67 count was moderate. Ki67 expression showed considerable variability in high-grade DCIS. Low PR levels combined with high Ki67 expression were linked to HER2 overexpression, showing possible clinical implications for identifying high-risk DCIS.
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spelling doaj-art-4a941adcd5b54961a0a1d1696207008b2025-01-31T10:57:13ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-01-011510.3389/fonc.2025.14676641467664High Ki67 expression, HER2 overexpression, and low progesterone receptor levels in high-grade DCIS: significant associations with clinical practice implicationsHossein Schandiz0Hossein Schandiz1Lorant Farkas2Lorant Farkas3Daehoon Park4Yan Liu5Yan Liu6Solveig N. Andersen7Torill Sauer8Jürgen Geisler9Jürgen Geisler10Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital (AHUS), Lørenskog, NorwayInstitute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayInstitute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, NorwayInstitute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), AHUS, Lørenskog, NorwayInstitute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayInstitute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital (AHUS), Lørenskog, NorwayInstitute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwaySimple summaryWe investigated the role of Ki67, a ubiquitous marker in cancer, within the context of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a precursor of invasive breast cancer. Through rigorous analysis of histopathological and immunopathological samples from a substantial cohort, this study revealed robust correlations between heightened Ki67 expression, diminished progesterone (PR) levels, and HER2 overexpression, indicative of aggressive DCIS phenotypes. These findings offer novel insights into the surrogate immunomolecular subtyping landscape of DCIS, potentially refining risk stratification and therapeutic approaches. This elucidation underscores the translational significance of Ki67 as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in DCIS, with implications for personalized treatment paradigms and patient outcomes.BackgroundThe Ki67 proliferation index is widely used in various tumors, including invasive breast carcinoma (IBC). However, its prognostic utility is often constrained by technical complexity. Its diagnostic and clinical significance in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains uncertain. We studied Ki67 immunohistochemistry interobserver diagnostic agreement at different cutoff values in high-grade DCIS. Additionally, we investigated the associations between Ki67 expression, PR levels, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in high-grade DCIS among various subtypes (Luminal (Lum) A, LumB HER2-, LumB HER2+, HER2-enriched, and triple-negative)).MethodsUsing histopathological specimens from 484 patients diagnosed with DCIS between 1996 and 2018, we implemented the 2013 St. Gallen recommendations for surrogate immunomolecular subtyping of IBC. Subtypes were classified, and the Ki67 interobserver diagnostic agreement between Counting Pathologist 1 (CP1) and CP2 was calculated using Cohen’s kappa coefficient at various cutoff values.ResultsThe Cohen’s kappa coefficient for interobserver agreement between CP1 and CP2 was κ = 0.586, indicating moderate agreement. Ki67 levels varied significantly among subtypes (p < 0.0001), with a median Ki67% being higher in cases with invasive components (p = 0.0351). Low PR combined with high Ki67% was significantly associated with HER2 overexpression (p = 0.0107).ConclusionsInterobserver agreement for the Ki67 count was moderate. Ki67 expression showed considerable variability in high-grade DCIS. Low PR levels combined with high Ki67 expression were linked to HER2 overexpression, showing possible clinical implications for identifying high-risk DCIS.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1467664/fullductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breastimmunohistochemistypersonalized medicine (PM)Ki67 proliferation indexhormone receptors human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)International Ki67 in Breast Cancer Working Group (IKWG)
spellingShingle Hossein Schandiz
Hossein Schandiz
Lorant Farkas
Lorant Farkas
Daehoon Park
Yan Liu
Yan Liu
Solveig N. Andersen
Torill Sauer
Jürgen Geisler
Jürgen Geisler
High Ki67 expression, HER2 overexpression, and low progesterone receptor levels in high-grade DCIS: significant associations with clinical practice implications
Frontiers in Oncology
ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast
immunohistochemisty
personalized medicine (PM)
Ki67 proliferation index
hormone receptors human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)
International Ki67 in Breast Cancer Working Group (IKWG)
title High Ki67 expression, HER2 overexpression, and low progesterone receptor levels in high-grade DCIS: significant associations with clinical practice implications
title_full High Ki67 expression, HER2 overexpression, and low progesterone receptor levels in high-grade DCIS: significant associations with clinical practice implications
title_fullStr High Ki67 expression, HER2 overexpression, and low progesterone receptor levels in high-grade DCIS: significant associations with clinical practice implications
title_full_unstemmed High Ki67 expression, HER2 overexpression, and low progesterone receptor levels in high-grade DCIS: significant associations with clinical practice implications
title_short High Ki67 expression, HER2 overexpression, and low progesterone receptor levels in high-grade DCIS: significant associations with clinical practice implications
title_sort high ki67 expression her2 overexpression and low progesterone receptor levels in high grade dcis significant associations with clinical practice implications
topic ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast
immunohistochemisty
personalized medicine (PM)
Ki67 proliferation index
hormone receptors human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)
International Ki67 in Breast Cancer Working Group (IKWG)
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1467664/full
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