[The expression of Cath-D, c-erbB-2 and EGFR in breast cancer and its correlation to lymphatic metastasis].
The expression of Cath-D c-erbB-2 and EGFR in breast cancer and its correlation of lymphatic metastases were studied in 277 cases by immunohistochemical technique. Positive staining of Cath-D was detected in 107 cases (38.62%), of which, 89 cases (83.17%) had documented metastasis in the lymph nodes. One hundred and seventy cases (61.38%) stained negative for Cath-D, of which 64 cases (37.64%) had detectable lymphatic metastases. There was a significant difference in the rate of the lymphatic metastases between the Cath-D positive and Cath-D negative groups (P < 0.0001). Fifty-six out of 107 Cath-D positive cases (52.34%) were c-erbB-2 positive as well. However, only 27 out of 170 Cath-D negative cases (15.88%) were c-erbB-2 positive. The positive rate of c-erbB-2 in Cath-D positive group was significantly different from that of Cath-D negative group (P < 0.0001). Among those 107 Cath-D positive cases, 49 cases (45.79%) were EGFR positive. Only 24 cases (14.12%) were EGFR positive among the 170 Cath-D negative cases. The positive rate of EGFR between these two groups was also significantly different (P < 0.0001). The results suggest that Cath-D status can be used as an indicator of the aggressiveness of the breast cancer. Breast cancer cases with a positive Cath-D staining are more likely to have lymphatic metastases and a poor prognosis. Therefore, alternative therapeutic strategies and close follow-ups are needed for these patients.
Xu
L
L
Cancer Hospital, Shanghai Medical University.
Shen
Z
Z
Zhu
W
W
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000378:metabolism*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
D002402:Cathepsin D; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases