Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the clinicopathological significance and expression pattern of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling molecules in breast normal glands and invasive ductal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 142 cases, including 21 of normal breast and 121 of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, were immunohistochemically analyzed for Ihh, Ptch, Smo, Gli-1, Gli-2, and Gli-3 protein expression. RESULTS: All of Hh signaling molecules were greatly enhanced in invasive ductal carcinoma compared with the normal breast epithelia. The expressions of Ihh, Smo, and Gli-2 were increased in PR negative cases, and the expressions of Ihh, Ptch, and Gli-1/2/3 were statistically correlated with increased proliferating index of Ki-67 in invasive ductal carcinoma. Ihh and Gli-1/2/3 expressions were correlated with node metastasis. Additionally, the protein expressions of Ihh, Ptch, and Gli-2 were correlated with the clinical stage of breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Hedgehog signaling molecules play an important role in the progression of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast.