Immunoradiometric detection of pS2 and total cathepsin D in primary breast cancer biopsies: their correlation with steroid receptors
1994

Detection of pS2 and Cathepsin D in Breast Cancer

Sample size: 266 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): S. Marsigliante, L. Biscozzo, M. Correale, A. Paradiso, G. Leo, I. Abbate, C.D. Dragone, C. Storelli

Primary Institution: Universita di Lecce

Hypothesis

Is there a correlation between pS2 and cathepsin D levels in primary breast cancer biopsies?

Conclusion

The study found a significant association between pS2 and cathepsin D levels in lymph node-positive breast cancer patients.

Supporting Evidence

  • pS2 and cathepsin D values were significantly associated in tumours from lymph node-positive patients.
  • Cathepsin D concentrations were significantly higher in pS2-rich tumours.
  • pS2 was correlated with both the oestrogen receptor and the progesterone receptor.

Takeaway

This study looked at breast cancer samples to see if two proteins, pS2 and cathepsin D, are related. They found that when one is high, the other tends to be high too, especially in patients with cancer that has spread to lymph nodes.

Methodology

The study used immunoradiometric assays to measure pS2 and cathepsin D in breast cancer tissue samples.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the arbitrary cut-off points used for pS2 classification.

Limitations

The study's findings may be limited by the interrelationship between pS2, ER, and PR, which complicates the analysis.

Participant Demographics

All participants were females aged 32 to 87, with a mean age of 56; 54% were post-menopausal.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p=0.00001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

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