Is the negative prognostic value of high oestrogen receptor (ER) levels in postmenopausal breast cancer patients due to a modified ER gene product?
Recently, it was found that, among post menopausal breast cancer patients receiving no adjuvant therapy, the highest oestrogen receptor (ER) levels (ER++) as opposed to the intermediate ER levels (ER+) indicated a poorer prognosis in terms of recurrence-free survival (Thorpe et al. Eur J Cancer 1993, 29A, 971-977). In the present study, we confirm, in a series of 218 node negative, postmenopausal patients in whom ER was determined using a one-dose saturating method, that ER+ tumours have a more negative effect on disease-free survival (DFS) than ER+ tumours (P = 0.02). In another series of 87 ER positive, postmenopausal patients, we found a significant correlation (P = 0.04) between the ER level and ER+R ratio (ER protein/ER-specific mRNA): the higher the ER level, the more numerous the high ER+R ratio cases (ER+R > 1.5), reflecting an imbalance between the ER protein level and ER-specific mRNA. From these results, we hypothesise that high ER levels related to a high ER+R ratio suggest the presence of a modified ER gene product.
Sancho-Garnier
H
H
Department of Biostatistics, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
Delarue
J C
JC
Mouriesse
H
H
Contesso
G
G
May-Levin
F
F
Gotteland
M
M
May
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen