c-erbB-2 Protein Overexpression in Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): W.J. Gullick, S.B. Love, C. Wright, D.M. Barnes, B. Gusterson, A.L. Harris, D.G. Altman
Primary Institution: Imperial Cancer Research Fund
Hypothesis
Is c-erbB-2 overexpression a significant prognostic factor in breast cancer patients?
Conclusion
c-erbB-2 overexpression is associated with an increased risk of relapse and death in breast cancer patients, regardless of lymph node involvement.
Supporting Evidence
- c-erbB-2 is overexpressed in about 20% of human breast cancers.
- High levels of c-erbB-2 are associated with poor relapse-free survival and overall survival.
- c-erbB-2 overexpression provides an independent marker for poor prognosis in breast cancer.
Takeaway
If a patient has high levels of a protein called c-erbB-2, they might have a higher chance of their breast cancer coming back or being more serious.
Methodology
The study analyzed 483 breast cancer cases using immunohistochemical staining to assess c-erbB-2 expression and correlated it with clinical outcomes.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the varying methods of scoring positive staining across different studies.
Limitations
The study's findings may be limited by the low frequency of elevated c-erbB-2 expression and the survival of many patients, making confident statistical statements difficult.
Participant Demographics
The study included women with primary breast cancer, with a mix of node positive and node negative cases.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
42% to 94%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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