Low E2F1 Levels Linked to Better Breast Cancer Outcomes
Author Information
Author(s): Vuaroqueaux Vincent, Urban Patrick, Labuhn Martin, Delorenzi Mauro, Wirapati Pratyaksha, Benz Christopher C, Flury Renata, Dieterich Holger, Spyratos Frédérique, Eppenberger Urs, Eppenberger-Castori Serenella
Primary Institution: Stiftung Tumorbank Basel
Hypothesis
Can E2F1 mRNA levels serve as a surrogate marker for breast cancer outcomes?
Conclusion
Low E2F1 expression in primary breast cancer is associated with a favorable patient outcome.
Supporting Evidence
- E2F1 mRNA expression levels correlated strongly with other proliferation markers.
- Patients with low E2F1-expressing tumors had a hazard ratio of 4.3 for favorable outcomes.
- Results were validated in an independent data set from The Netherlands Cancer Institute.
- E2F1 levels were comparable in predictive performance to the 70-gene signature.
- Low E2F1 levels were mainly found in estrogen receptor-positive and ERBB2-negative tumors.
Takeaway
If a breast cancer patient has low levels of a certain gene called E2F1, they are more likely to do well and not have their cancer spread.
Methodology
E2F1 and other proliferation markers were measured by quantitative RT-PCR in 317 primary breast cancer patients.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on a single gene and may not account for the complexity of breast cancer biology.
Participant Demographics
Patients were primarily from Switzerland, with a mean age of 60 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 1.8–9.9
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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