Transforming growth factor-alpha and endocrine sensitivity in breast cancer.
The expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) has been evaluated in 51 breast cancers of known responsiveness to endocrine therapy using immunohistochemistry. High levels of TGF-alpha were observed in 65% of tumors and showed no relationship with tumor estrogen receptor or epidermal growth factor receptor status or Ki67 immunostaining. TGF-alpha levels did, however, relate to the endocrine sensitivity of the disease, with unresponsive tumors frequently showing high levels of TGF-alpha immunoreactivity. This relationship was observed in estrogen receptor-positive disease and was independent of the epidermal growth factor receptor status of the tumor. No quantitative association between TGF-alpha and Ki67 immunostaining was observed in any of the subcategories of tumors. These data infer a role for TGF-alpha in the development of endocrine insensitivity in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer by mechanisms which appear independent of tumor growth fraction, as determined by Ki67 immunostaining.
Nicholson
R I
RI
Breast Cancer Laboratory, Tenovus Cancer Research Centre, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
McClelland
R A
RA
Gee
J M
JM
Manning
D L
DL
Cannon
P
P
Robertson
J F
JF
Ellis
I O
IO
Blamey
R W
RW
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D017273:Goserelin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D008593:Menopause; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D013629:Tamoxifen; D017273:Goserelin; D066246:ErbB Receptors