Immunocytochemical staining of pS2 protein in fine-needle aspirate from breast cancer is an accurate guide to response to tamoxifen in patients aged over 70 years.
Fine-needle aspirates from 52 breast cancers in 50 patients over 70 years of age were immunocytochemically stained for pS2 protein. All patients were treated with tamoxifen 40 mg/day and followed up at intervals of 2 months. The size of the tumour was serially assessed with calipers and portable ultrasonography. Change in tumour size was confirmed mammographically. Clinical monitoring was performed bind of the pS2 status. Twenty-five tumours were pS2 positive, of which 23 showed a significant response; ten went into complete remission (mean time to complete remission 6.8 (range 2-14) months) and 13 demonstrated partial remission (mean follow-up 8.9 (range 6-19) months). Two tumours remained static. Twenty-seven tumours were pS2 negative and none of these responded to tamoxifen; six remained static (mean follow-up 11.5 (range 6-14) months) and 21 progressed (mean time to progression 7.0 (range 3-14) months) (P < 0.001). Immunocytochemical assessment of fine-needle aspirates from elderly women with breast cancer accurately predicts a worthwhile response to tamoxifen.
Department of General Surgery, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK.
Y G
YG
Wilson
M
M
Rhodes
N B
NB
Ibrahim
C J
CJ
Padfield
S J
SJ
Cawthorn
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D001940:Breast / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011506:Proteins; C051838:TFF1 protein, human; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D013629:Tamoxifen