[Prognostic value of c-erb-2 immunohistochemistry expression in patients with primary breast cancer and adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen].
BACKGROUND
The c-erb2 proto-oncogene is a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family and has been associated with a more aggressive breast tumour biology and resistance to some types of treatments.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prognostic value of c-erb-2 receptor, from primary breast cancer on tamoxifen therapy.


METHODS
We examined 66 paraffin-embedded sections from primary breast cancers. Patients were treated with surgery plus adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen; 58% had also received chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Membrane staining for c-erb-2 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and overall survival and relapse-free survival were compared between positives and negatives for c-erb-2.


RESULTS
43,9% of tumours over expressed c-erb-2 receptor, but this was not associated with a worse prognosis on overall survival either on relapse free-survival, with a p value of 0,15 and 0,2 respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
There is not any advantage to determine c-erb-2 as a prognostic factor on overall survival either on relapse free-survival. Attending the homogenous characteristics between both groups with any statistical differences according age.
Antunes
Andreia
A
Serviços de Ginecologia e de Anatomia Patológica, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra.
Silva
Teresa
T
Godinho
Isabel
I
Amaral
Natália
N
Oliveira
Calos
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D013629:Tamoxifen; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human