Fas/Fas-ligand expressions in primary breast cancer are significant predictors of its skeletal spread.
BACKGROUND
Bones belong to the most frequent localizations of breast cancer metastases. Several studies on female breast malignancies have indicated that Fas/Fas-ligand status may have a significant impact on survival. Hence, the aim of our study was to determine if these molecules might serve as the predictors of skeletal dissemination in radically-treated breast cancer patients.


METHODS
Tumor samples from 147 radically-treated breast cancer patients were studied immunohistochemically for Fas/Fas-ligand expression.


RESULTS
Both Fas and Fas-ligand expression in the primary tumor were considerably less frequent among breast cancer patients with bone metastases compared to women without skeletal spread. Moreover, negative staining for Fas or the lack of Fas-ligand expression proved to be significant predictors for the survival free from bone metastases under univariate analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the probability of bone metastases may be assessed on the basis of Fas/Fas-ligand expression in primary breast cancer. Consequently, their determination seems crucial for further prognosis and determination of adjuvant treatment.
Bebenek
Marek
M
First Deptartment of Surgical Oncology, Regional Comprehensive Cancer Center, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland. bebmar@dco.com.pl
Duś
Danuta
D
Koźlak
Joanna
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D019014:fas Receptor