c-erbB-2 Gene Amplification in Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): A.-L. B0rresen, L. Ottestad, A. Gaustad, T.I. Andersen, R. Heikkila, T. Jahnsen, K.M. Tveit, J.M. Nesland
Primary Institution: Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital
Hypothesis
Does c-erbB-2 gene amplification correlate with aggressive tumor behavior and prognosis in breast cancer?
Conclusion
The study found that c-erbB-2 gene amplification is associated with a higher recurrence rate in breast cancer patients.
Supporting Evidence
- 22.5% of primary tumors showed c-erbB-2 gene amplification.
- 50% of metastases had c-erbB-2 amplification.
- Amplified tumors had a significantly higher recurrence rate.
- All amplified tumors were of the invasive ductal type.
- 55% of tumors showed allele loss on chromosome 17p.
Takeaway
This study looked at breast cancer tumors to see if a specific gene, c-erbB-2, was more common in aggressive cases. They found that tumors with this gene were more likely to come back after treatment.
Methodology
The study analyzed fresh tumor tissue from 113 breast cancer patients for c-erbB-2 gene amplification and loss of chromosome 17 sequences using Southern analysis and immunostaining.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the selection of patients and the retrospective nature of family history assessments.
Limitations
The sample size was small, and the observation time for survival data was limited.
Participant Demographics
The study involved Norwegian breast cancer patients, with 89 primary tumors and 24 metastases analyzed.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.016
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website