Cell biological factors associated with the response of breast cancer to systemic treatment.
A large number of cell biological parameters are currently available to predict the prognosis of patients with breast cancer, but it is still difficulty accurately to predict the response to treatment. A valuable prognostic factor can be a poor predictive factor for response, and vice versa. High tumor levels of ER, PgR, AR and pS2 predict a relatively good response to endocrine therapy, while EGF-R positively, HER2/neu positivity, aneuploidy, high proliferation indices and possibly high uPA levels indicate a high chance of poor response to endocrine therapy in metastatic breast cancer. With respect to chemotherapy, a high proliferation rate and HER2/neu amplification predict a good response to therapy in metastatic disease, while MDR gene expression and possibly c-myc amplification are related to a worse response. In conclusion, the newer cell biological parameters can be used to select high and low-risk patients, type of systemic treatment, and as targets for new treatment modalities.
Klijn
J G
JG
Department of Medical Oncology, Rotterdam Cancer Institute (Dr Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center), The Netherlands.
Berns
E M
EM
Bontenbal
M
M
Foekens
J
J
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D009857:Oncogenes / Q000235:genetics; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000032:analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006133:Growth Substances; D011987:Receptors, Steroid