Redefining prognostic factors for breast cancer: YB-1 is a stronger predictor of relapse and disease-specific survival than estrogen receptor or HER-2 across all tumor subtypes
2008

YB-1 as a Predictor of Breast Cancer Outcomes

Sample size: 4049 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Habibi Golareh, Leung Samuel, Law Jennifer H, Gelmon Karen, Masoudi Hamid, Turbin Dmitry, Pollak Michael, Nielsen Torsten O, Huntsman David, Dunn Sandra E

Primary Institution: University of British Columbia

Hypothesis

Does YB-1 identify patients at risk for reduced relapse-free survival or decreased breast cancer-specific survival across all tumor subtypes?

Conclusion

YB-1 expression identifies patients at high risk across all breast cancer subtypes, suggesting a need for more aggressive treatment.

Supporting Evidence

  • YB-1 was expressed in 41% of patients with recurrent breast cancer.
  • Patients with high YB-1 expression had a significantly shorter relapse-free survival.
  • YB-1 was associated with poor overall breast cancer-specific survival.
  • YB-1 expression was predictive of poor survival in both node-positive and node-negative patients.
  • YB-1 was superior to estrogen receptor and HER-2 as a prognostic marker for relapse and survival.

Takeaway

YB-1 is a protein that helps doctors figure out which breast cancer patients might need stronger treatments because it can show if the cancer is more likely to come back.

Methodology

The study used tumor tissue microarrays from 4,049 invasive breast cancer cases and evaluated YB-1 expression to assess its predictive value for relapse and survival.

Limitations

The study may not have fully captured the prognostic value of YB-1 in all breast cancer subtypes due to the complexity of tumor biology.

Participant Demographics

The study included a diverse cohort of 4,049 patients with invasive breast cancer.

Statistical Information

P-Value

P < 2.5 × 10-20

Confidence Interval

95% CI = 1.068 to 1.544

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/bcr2156

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