Abnormal expression of four novel molecular markers represents a highly aggressive phenotype in breast cancer. Immunohistochemical assay of p53, nm23, erbB-2, and cathepsin D protein.
BACKGROUND
In view of the cumulative results to date, p53, nm23, erbB-2, and cathepsin D are the most promising investigational prognostic factors in breast cancer.


OBJECTIVE
The clinical utility of these molecular markers to predict recurrence was evaluated.


METHODS
Archival pathology tissues of 100 breast cancer patients were analyzed by immunohistochemical assay. Molecular biologic data were merged with clinicopathologic variables.


RESULTS
Thirty-two patients (32%) had recurrence of disease at a median follow-up of 48 months (range 26-72 months). Investigational factor expression had statistical correlation for recurrence with increasing coexpression: one variable 20.6%, two variables 34.2%, three variables 47.1%, four variables 80.0% (P = 0.003). In univariate analysis, lymph node metastasis, tumor size, erbB-2 protein overexpression, and loss of nm23 protein expression were significant variables to determine recurrence; in multivariate analysis, node status and tumor size emerged as the most significant variables for recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Coexpression of the studied investigational variables functioned as significant prognostic correlates for recurrence. These findings suggest that the studied investigational prognostic factors possess the ability to discriminate a highly aggressive phenotype in breast cancer.
Han
S
S
Department of Surgery, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, South Korea. shwhan@unitel.co.kr
Yun
I J
IJ
Noh
D Y
DY
Choe
K J
KJ
Song
S Y
SY
Chi
J G
JG
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000378:metabolism; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002402:Cathepsin D; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; C517938:NME1 protein, human