Genomic imbalances detected by comparative genomic hybridization are prognostic markers in invasive ductal breast carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this work is the study of the prognostic significance of the chromosomal aberrations described in a series of invasive ductal breast carcinomas.


RESULTS
We analysed by comparative genomic hybridization a group of 70 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded invasive ductal breast carcinomas. Aberrations showed a frequency similar to previous studies using frozen tumours. Interestingly, we identified gains involving 6q16-q24 more frequently than in other series. We analysed the association among the chromosomal imbalances, 11 histopathological factors, relapse rate and overall survival of patients. Associations showed 16q losses as a potential marker of good prognosis, as they were more frequent in node-negative (P=0.025) and in oestrogen-positive tumours (P < 0.001). Furthermore, 100% of bcl-2+ tumours presented this aberration compared with 29.3% in bcl-2- (P=0.014). 1q, 11q, 17q and 20q gains were associated with poor prognosis: 95% of cases with 1q gains were bigger than 20 mm (P=0.041). Tumours with 1q and 11q gains showed a higher relapse rate (P=0.063; P=0.066). Within the good prognosis group of lymph node-negative patients, 17q and 20q gains identify a subgroup with increased relapse rate (P=0.039).


CONCLUSIONS
Chromosomal imbalances, together with histopathological factors, may help to predict outcome in breast cancer patients.
Zudaire
I
I
Department of Genetics, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain. izudaire@unav.es
Odero
M D
MD
Caballero
C
C
Valenti
C
C
Martínez-Penuela
J M
JM
Isola
J
J
Calasanz
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D005260:Female; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000235:genetics; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53