How best to express oestrogen receptor activity.
Oestrogen receptor (ER) activity, detected and expressed in a variety of ways, is important in breast cancer. Experience in Edinburgh (1973-1996) showed that [1] no single mode of expression was entirely satisfactory, [2] the probability of a good 'outcome' (prognosis or response to endocrine therapy) increased with increasing activity (either fmol ER sites/mg protein or per cent cells staining for ER). Thus the use of a single 'cut-off' should be avoided and activity quantified, or stratified into categories.
Hawkins
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The Edinburgh Breast Unit, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK.
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017697:Premenopause; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen