Predictive value of syndecan-1 expression for the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy of primary breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
The overexpression of syndecan-1 in breast carcinomas correlates with poorer prognosis and an aggressive phenotype. The effect of syndecan-1 expression on tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was determined in locally advanced breast cancer.


METHODS
Semi-quantitative syndecan-1 immunohistochemistry was performed in pre-chemotherapy breast cancer biopsies of 37 patients undergoing high-dose neoadjuvant treatment with cyclophosphamide and epirubicin.


RESULTS
43.2% of breast carcinomas stained positive for syndecan-1. Syndecan-1 expression was more frequent in ductal invasive carcinomas than in other histological types (p=0.062). The pathological response to chemotherapy was decreased in syndecan-1-positive patients: 37.5% of syndecan-1-positive vs. 19% of syndecan-1-negative patients attained pathologically "no change". No syndecan-1-positive patient showed complete remission. Also, a correlation between syndecan-1 immunostaining intensity and response to chemotherapy was observed. Of the responding tumors, none showed strong syndecan-1 expression (Score 3+), whereas 20% of the non-responding tumors were strongly syndecan-1-positive.


CONCLUSIONS
Syndecan-1-expressing breast carcinomas show a trend towards a decreased response to chemotherapy.
Götte
Martin
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Münster University Hospital, Germany. mgotte@uni-muenster.de
Kersting
Christian
C
Ruggiero
Maria
M
Tio
Joke
J
Tulusan
Augustinus H
AH
Kiesel
Ludwig
L
Wülfing
Pia
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; C508241:SDC1 protein, human; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans; D015251:Epirubicin; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D003520:Cyclophosphamide