Proliferation is the strongest prognosticator in node-negative breast cancer: significance, error sources, alternatives and comparison with molecular prognostic markers.
Independent studies have shown that in node negative breast cancer patients less than 71 years, the proliferation marker mitotic activity index (MAI) is the strongest, most well reproducible prognosticator and chemotherapy success predictor. The MAI overshadows the prognostic value of tubule formation, nuclear atypia and thereby grade. An often used crude mitotic impression is much less prognostic than the MAI; strict adherence to the MAI protocol is therefore important. The prognostic value of the MAI is age dependent: although patients with a MAI > or = 10 always have a poor prognosis irrespective of age, a low MAI (<10) loses its favourable prognostic association in women >70 years. PPH3 counts are prognostically stronger than the MAI, and markers such as Cyclin-B and E2FR are promising, but must be validated. Compared with commercial prognostic gene expression signatures, the MAI is at least as strong prognostically, has far fewer false positive results and as such should be included as an independent feature in any node negative breast cancer pathology report.
Baak
Jan P A
JP
Department of Pathology, Stavanger University Hospital, P. O. Box 8100, Stavanger 4068, Norway. jpabaak@yahoo.com
Gudlaugsson
Einar
E
Skaland
Ivar
I
Guo
Lydia Hui Ru
LH
Klos
Jan
J
Lende
Tone Hoel
TH
Søiland
Håvard
H
Janssen
Emiel A M
EA
Zur Hausen
Axel
A
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008940:Mitotic Index / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D016707:Tissue Fixation
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor