Human kallikrein gene 13 (KLK13) expression by quantitative RT–PCR: an independent indicator of favourable prognosis in breast cancer
2002

KLK13 Expression as a Prognostic Marker in Breast Cancer

Sample size: 173 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Chang A, Yousef G M, Scorilas A, Grass L, Sismondi P, Ponzone R, Diamandis E P

Primary Institution: Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Hypothesis

KLK13 may be differentially expressed in breast cancer tissues and may have prognostic/predictive value.

Conclusion

KLK13 expression is an independent favourable prognostic marker for breast carcinoma.

Supporting Evidence

  • KLK13 expression was found to be a significant predictor of improved disease-free survival and overall survival.
  • Higher KLK13 expression was associated with a 55 to 80% reduction in the risk of relapse or death.
  • Patients with KLK13 positive tumors had substantially higher disease-free survival and overall survival compared to those who were KLK13 negative.

Takeaway

This study found that a protein called KLK13 can help doctors predict how well breast cancer patients will do, especially if they have certain types of tumors.

Methodology

The study analyzed KLK13 expression in tumor specimens from 173 breast cancer patients using quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction.

Limitations

The study was limited to a specific population and may not be generalizable to all breast cancer patients.

Participant Demographics

Patients aged 29 to 87, with a median age of 58; included various histological types of breast cancer.

Statistical Information

P-Value

P<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6600283

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