IGF-II mRNA expression in breast cancer: predictive value and relationship to other prognostic factors.
OBJECTIVE
Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) is an important regulator of tumor growth in breast cancer. In this study we have examined the prognostic value of IGF-II mRNA expression in breast cancer and its relationship to other predictive parameters.


METHODS
Sixty-eight women with infiltrating ductal carcinoma were given the same treatments including mastectomy and antitumoral therapies and followed up for 5 years.


RESULTS
The overall 5-year survival rate was 73.5% (55/68). IGF-II mRNA was expressed in 33/64 patients (51.6%) and had no significant impact on survival. The expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) did not significantly affect the 5-year survival, but in the presence of an IGF-II mRNA signal, the survival of ER- and PgR-negative patients (n=9) was lower than that of ER- and PgR-positive patients (n=15), although the difference was not significant. The 5-year survival was not significantly different between Ki-67-positive and negative patients, but in the IGF-II positive group Ki-67-positive patients (n=7) had a significantly poorer prognosis than Ki-67-negative patients (n=26). The expression of p53 protein was associated with a poorer prognosis: 6/11 (54.5%) p53-positive patients died in the first 26 months of follow-up and 5 of these 6 patients (83.3%) also had positive IGF-II mRNA expression.


CONCLUSIONS
IGF-II mRNA expression per se is not an independent predictive factor in breast cancer but may be a marker of poor prognosis when associated with other prognostic factors such as Ki-67 index and p53 expression.
Fiore
Emilio
E
Department of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. e.fiore@ao-pisa.toscana.it
Campani
Daniela
D
Muller
Ilaria
I
Belardi
Valentina
V
Giustarini
Elisa
E
Rossi
Giovanni
G
Pinchera
Aldo
A
Giani
Claudio
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004967:Estrogens; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D015409:Mastectomy, Radical; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011374:Progesterone; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004967:Estrogens; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C495901:TP53 protein, human; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D013629:Tamoxifen; D011374:Progesterone; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate