c-erbB-2 Expression and S-phase Fraction in Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): S.M. O'Reilly, D.M. Barnes, R.S. Camplejohn, J. Bartkova, W.M. Gregory, M.A. Richards
Primary Institution: ICRF Clinical Oncology Unit, Guy's Hospital, London
Hypothesis
Does c-erbB-2 expression correlate with S-phase fraction and prognosis in breast cancer?
Conclusion
c-erbB-2 expression and S-phase fraction provide independent prognostic information for women with node positive breast cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- 39 of the 172 tumours (23%) showed some degree of tumour cell membrane staining for the c-erbB-2 product.
- c-erbB-2 positive tumours were significantly more likely to be ER negative (P = 0.02) and PgR negative (P = 0.03).
- S-phase fraction (SPF) could be measured for 153/172 (87%) tumours, with a median value of 8%.
- The median SPF of c-erbB-2 positive tumours was significantly higher than that of c-erbB-2 negative tumours (10.5 vs 7.9, P = 0.02).
- High SPF was an indicator of poor prognosis in both node negative (RFS P = 0.04) and node positive (RFS P = 0.002) disease.
Takeaway
This study looked at how a specific protein and cell growth phase relate to breast cancer outcomes. It found that both can help predict how well patients might do.
Methodology
The study reviewed case records and performed immunohistochemical analysis and DNA flow cytometry on breast cancer patients.
Limitations
The study is based on a relatively small sample size and may not represent all breast cancer patients.
Participant Demographics
172 women with primary operable breast cancer diagnosed between 1980 and 1983.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = 0.002
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