Receptor Conversion in Distant Breast Cancer Metastases
Author Information
Author(s): Laurien DC Hoefnagel, Marc J van de Vijver, Henk-Jan van Slooten, Pieter Wesseling, Jelle Wesseling, Pieter J Westenend, Joost Bart, Cornelis A Seldenrijk, Iris D Nagtegaal, Joost Oudejans, Paul van der Valk, Petra van der Groep, Elisabeth GE de Vries, Elsken van der Wall, Paul J van Diest
Primary Institution: University Medical Center Utrecht
Hypothesis
The study aimed to investigate receptor conversion for estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 in distant breast cancer metastases.
Conclusion
Receptor conversion in distant breast cancer metastases occurs, is relatively uncommon for ERα and HER2, and is more frequent for PR, especially in liver and brain metastases.
Supporting Evidence
- Receptor conversion by IHC for ERα occurred in 10.3% of patients.
- PR conversion occurred in 30.0% of patients.
- HER2 conversion occurred in 5.2% of patients.
- Conversion was mainly from positive in the primary tumor to negative in the metastases for ERα and PR.
- PR conversion occurred significantly more often in liver, brain, and gastro-intestinal metastases.
Takeaway
Sometimes, the type of breast cancer can change when it spreads to other parts of the body, which can affect how doctors decide to treat it.
Methodology
233 distant breast cancer metastases were IHC stained for ERα, PR, and HER2, and expression was compared to that of the primary tumor.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the retrospective nature of the study and reliance on previously established diagnoses.
Limitations
Previous studies had small sample sizes and methodological issues, and this study did not include bone metastases to avoid false negatives.
Participant Demographics
Female patients with invasive breast cancer, mean age 53.9 years, with various tumor sizes and histologic types.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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