title: pNR-2/pS2 immunohistochemical staining in breast cancer: correlation with prognostic factors and endocrine response.
abstract: Expression of the oestrogen-regulated pNR-2/pS2 protein has been studied in paraffin sections of a series of 172 primary breast cancers using an immunohistochemical technique. Positive staining of tumour cells was found in 117 tumours (68%): most of these tumours contained only a small proportion of positive cells. pNR-2 immunohistochemical staining correlated positively and significantly with the presence of oestrogen receptor. Mean percentages of pNR-2 positive cells were lower in tumours from postmenopausal women. Smaller, better differentiated tumours were significantly more likely to stain positively for pNR-2. The percentages of pNR-2 positive tumour cells in primary tumours and synchronously excised lymph node metastases were very similar. pNR-2 expression showed an unexpected positive association with lymph node metastasis. We were unable to find any significant association between pNR-2 immunohistochemical staining and either time to relapse or overall survival. There was a significant association between pNR-2 expression in primary tumours and response to endocrine therapy on relapse: positive pNR-2 immunohistochemical staining in primary tumours is predictive of response to hormonal therapy on relapse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Royal Victoria Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Piggott
authors.forename: U K
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Mallick
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Farndon
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Westley
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: May
mesh_terms: D000616:Aminoglutethimide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008593:Menopause / Q000378:metabolism; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D011379:Prognosis; D011506:Proteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; C051838:TFF1 protein, human; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D013629:Tamoxifen; D000616:Aminoglutethimide