c-erbB2 Overexpression and Breast Cancer Treatment Resistance
Author Information
Author(s): Houston S J, Plunkett T A, Barnes D M, Smith P, Rubens R D, Miles D W
Primary Institution: ICRF Clinical Oncology Unit, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
Hypothesis
Does overexpression of c-erbB2 affect the response to endocrine therapy in advanced breast cancer?
Conclusion
Overexpression of c-erbB2 is an independent marker of resistance to first-line endocrine therapy in advanced breast cancer patients.
Supporting Evidence
- c-erbB2 was overexpressed in 32% of primary breast cancers.
- Patients with c-erbB2-positive tumours had a lower overall response to treatment (38% vs 56%).
- Time to progression was significantly shorter in c-erbB2-positive patients (4.1 months vs 8.7 months).
- In ER-positive tumours treated with tamoxifen, c-erbB2 overexpression was linked to a shorter time to progression (5.5 months vs 11.2 months).
Takeaway
If a patient has a certain protein called c-erbB2 in their breast cancer, they might not respond well to a common treatment.
Methodology
The study assessed c-erbB2 overexpression in primary tumours of patients treated with endocrine therapy using immunohistochemistry.
Participant Demographics
Patients with advanced breast cancer treated at first relapse with endocrine therapy.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = 0.0009
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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