Over-expression of Skp2 is associated with resistance to preoperative doxorubicin-based chemotherapy in primary breast cancer
2008

Skp2 and Chemotherapy Resistance in Breast Cancer

Sample size: 40 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Davidovich Shirly, Ben-Izhak Ofer, Shapira Ma'anit, Futerman Boris, Hershko Dan D

Primary Institution: Rambam Medical Center and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology

Hypothesis

The study aims to examine the role of Skp2 and p27Kip1 as predictors of clinical outcome and response to chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer.

Conclusion

Skp2 expression may be a useful marker for predicting response to doxorubicin-based preoperative chemotherapy and clinical outcome in patients with locally advanced breast cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • High preoperative expression of Skp2 was associated with resistance to CAF therapy in 94% of patients.
  • Both Skp2 and p27Kip1 were found to be accurate prognostic markers for disease-free and overall survival.
  • Patients with high Skp2 expression had significantly poorer disease-free and overall survival.

Takeaway

This study found that high levels of a protein called Skp2 can make breast cancer harder to treat with certain chemotherapy drugs.

Methodology

The expression levels of Skp2 and p27Kip1 were determined by immunohistochemistry in 40 patients with locally advanced breast cancer before and after preoperative chemotherapy.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size and focused only on specific chemotherapy regimens.

Participant Demographics

{"age":{"median":47,"range":"29 to 79"},"histology":{"ductal":"82%","lobular":"18%"},"tumor_grade":{"G1":"7%","G2":"53%","G3":"40%"},"lymph_node_status":{"positive":"60%","negative":"40%"}}

Statistical Information

P-Value

P < 0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/bcr2122

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