Fas and Fas ligand as prognostic factors in human breast carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Several studies on breast cancer patients indicate that Fas/FasL status may have a significant impact on patient survival, but their conclusions are still controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) expressions in the early stages of breast cancer.


METHODS
One hundred and eight patients aged 35-77 years (median: 58), mostly with stage I or II tumors, were analyzed.


RESULTS
Significant associations were noted between Fas expression and lymph node involvement (p<0.0001) or the number of recurrences (p=0.02) and between the presence of FasL and the histological grade of tumor (p=0.007). A five-year follow-up was available for 80/108 (84%) patients: 52/66 (79%) with Fas-positive and 28/42 (67%) with Fas-negative tumors (p=0.102). Considering the expression of FasL, 31/45 (69%) patients with positive and 50/63 (79%) with negative immunostaining have survived five years following surgery (p=0.157).


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated that the components of the Fas/FasL system are associated with the clinical outcome of breast cancer and consequently should be considered in prognosis, complementing the existing conventional factors.
Bebenek
Marek
M
1st Department of Surgical Oncology, Lower Silesian Oncology Center, Wrocław, Poland. bebmar@dco.com.pl
Duś
Danuta
D
Koźlak
Joanna
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D019014:fas Receptor