Immunohistochemical study of c-erbB-2 expression in primary breast cancer.
An immunohistochemical (IHC) study of the c-erbB-2 protein was performed in paraffin-embedded tissues from 506 primary breast carcinomas. An overexpression of c-erbB-2 was detected in 32% of the tumors and was correlated with a negative estrogen receptor status, increasing tumor size as well as axillary lymph node involvement. The five-year disease free survival was analyzed in 183 patients who have been followed for at least five years. No statistically significant association of c-erbB-2 status with survival was shown. However, longer survival in women over 50 years compared to under 50 years of age was detected among the c-erbB-2 positive patients. In the multivariate Cox's regression analysis, lymph node and vascular invasions were independent prognostic indicators among these patients. But c-erbB-2 status and other factors did not predict the relapse of breast cancer. However, these data may not negate the benefit of c-erbB-2 detected by IHC for identification of patients who have a poor prognosis and require more aggressive adjuvant therapy. Further studies in a larger group of patients with longer follow-up time may provide more valid information.
Chearskul
S
S
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Onreabroi
S
S
Churintrapun
M
M
Semprasert
N
N
Bhothisuwan
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism
D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone