title: Topoisomerase II alpha and microtubule-associated protein-tau as a predictive marker in axillary lymph node positive breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to investigate the correlation between topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A), microtubule-associated protein-tau (MAP-tau) and other prognostic factors in breast cancer and to evaluate the predictive value of TOP2A and MAP-tau in breast cancer patients who received anthracycline and taxane-containing adjuvant chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy patients with axillary lymph node positive breast cancer who underwent curative surgery between January 2000 and December 2005 were evaluated retrospectively. The levels of protein expression of TOP2A and MAP-tau were assessed using immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 70 patients, 43 (61.4%) showed TOP2A overexpression and 30 (42.9%) showed MAP-tau positivity. TOP2A overexpression was associated with p53 positivity and high histological grade. MAP-tau positivity was associated with a lower positive lymph node ratio, lower proliferative activity, and hormone receptor positivity. Based on the TOP2A and MAP-tau expression, there was no significant difference in disease-free survival in the breast cancer patients who received anthracycline and taxane-containing adjuvant chemotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that immunohistochemical analysis of TOP2A and MAP-tau protein expression may not predict the benefits of adjuvant anthracycline and taxane chemotherapy in axillary node positive breast cancer.
authors.forename: Hye Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Won
authors.forename: Kyoung Eun
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sun Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Moon Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jung Youn
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.forename: Eun Mi
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: Yeung-Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Mun
authors.forename: Chu-Myong
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Seong
authors.forename: Soon Nam
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001365:Axilla; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / Q000032:analysis*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D000075223:Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015854:Up-Regulation; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D018943:Anthracyclines; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C054369:MAPT protein, human; D000075223:Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins; D043823:Taxoids; D016875:tau Proteins; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II; C000618811:TOP2A protein, human