Telomerase Activity and Prognosis in Primary Breast Cancers

Recent studies associate telomerase activity with prognostic factors and survival. We compared quantitative telomerase activity in primary tumors with traditional prognostic factors and outcome in a group of invasive but nonmetastatic breast cancers. Telomerase activity was measured in 203 invasive breast cancers by the quantitative telomeric repeat amplification protocol method. Telomerase expression was compared with 28S rRNA level, tumor content, and clinical variables, including outcome. For clinical correlations, telomerase activity was standardized by two methods: (1) a correction for cellularity using 28S rRNA levels, and (2) a correction for the histologically determined invasive proportion of the specimen. Telomerase activity was found in 82% of breast cancers with measurable 28S rRNA levels. Telomerase activity was associated with the proliferative index (P