Immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in breast cancer

Further evidence to demonstrate the significance of serum appearance of anti-p53 antibody as a marker for progressive potential in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast

BACKGROUND

Serum appearance of anti-p53 antibody (p53Ab) has been reported as an indicator for progressive potential of human tumor tumors including breast cancer. But its significance in breast cancer has not been discussed fully.

METHODS

Relationship between serum appearance of p53Abs and representative data accounting for progressive potential in breast cancer, nuclear grade (NG), triple negative cancer, and the cumulative score based on these two data (TGS) was investigated among 129 women with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast, who had been treated with surgical resection.

RESULTS

There was a significant correlation between appearance of p53Abs and recurrence of the tumors (P = 0.035). Significant correlation of serum appearance of p53Abs with negative expression of ER (P = 0.011), the proportion of TNBC (P = 0.013), NG (P = 0.017), and TGS (P = 0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative serum appearance of p53Abs can be correlated with pathological nuclear grade, incidence of triple negative breast cancer, and TGS. These results might demonstrate more powerful significance of serum appearance of p53Abs as an indicator of progressive potential in IDC of the breast. J. Med. Invest. 64: 241-244, August, 2017.

Androgen receptor, EGFR, and BRCA1 as biomarkers in triple-negative breast cancer: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

More and more evidences demonstrate that androgen receptor (AR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) have unique clinical implications for targeted therapy or prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the possible associations.

METHODS

We retrieved published articles about AR, EGFR, and BRCA1 in TNBC from PubMed and EMBASE. The analysis was performed with Rev-Man 5.2 software.

RESULTS

A total of 38 articles were eligible for the meta-analysis. Our study showed that the expression level of EGFR (OR = 6.88, P < 0.00001) and the prevalence of BRCA1 mutation (RR = 5.26, P < 0.00001) were higher in TNBC than non-TNBC. In contrast, the expression level of AR was lower in TNBC than non-TNBC (OR = 0.07, P < 0.00001). In the subgroup related to EGFR expression, the level of EGFR expression was significantly increased in Asians (OR = 9.60) compared with Caucasians (OR = 5.53) for TNBC patients. Additionally, the prevalence of BRCA1 mutation in Asians (RR = 5.43, P < 0.00001) was higher than that in Caucasians (RR = 5.16, P < 0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS

The distinct expression of AR and EGFR and the prevalence of BRCA1 mutation indicated that AR, EGFR, and BRCA1 might be unique biomarkers for targeted therapy and prognosis in TNBC.

Unilateral multicentric cancer of the breast containing two different histopathological types: Case report

Unilateral multicentric cancer of the breast containing a tumor with a specific histopathological type is comparatively rare. We, herein, report a case of an unilateral multicentric cancer of the breast containing two separate tumors diagnosed as a papillo-tubular carcinoma and an invasive lobular carcinoma. In addition to the difference in histological type, these two tumors also had different patterns of expression of hormonal receptors reflecting the cellular aggressiveness. Therfore, these tumors may be formed through multicentric tumorigenesis.

Association of ErbB1-4 expression in invasive breast cancer with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis

BACKGROUND

Human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (Her2)/ErbB2 plays a key role in the initiation and progression of invasive breast cancer. However, the prognostic relevance to breast cancer patients of the other ErbB family members has long been a matter of debate.

METHODS

In a series of 250 primary invasive breast cancer patients, we performed a comprehensive analysis of ErbB1-4 at the levels of mRNA expression and gene copy number using real-time quantitative PCR. The relationship between the status of ErbB1-4 and the clinicopathological characteristics or prognosis was evaluated.

RESULTS

The mRNA expression of ErbB2, but not the other ErbB genes, was significantly correlated to copy number (P = 0.0005). ErbB3 and ErbB4 mRNA expression were positively correlated to each other (P < 0.0001). The mRNA expression of ErbB1/2 was inversely correlated to estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) positivity, although mRNA expression of ErbB3/4 was positively correlated to ER and PgR positivity. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that ErbB1 mRNA expression was associated with reduced survival. Neither ErbB2 nor ErbB3 mRNA expression had any association with survival, because half of the patients with Her2-positive tumors were treated with trastuzumab. High ErbB4 mRNA expression showed good prognosis with respect to breast cancer-specific survival

CONCLUSIONS

ErbB3 and ErbB4 mRNA expression, as well as well as that of ErbB1 and ErbB2, could be histopathological factors. ErbB3 mRNA was highly expressed in ER-positive tumors and has controversial prognostic value. ErbB4 mRNA expression was well correlated with ER positivity and good prognosis, indicating that ErbB4 may contribute to ER-dependent growth.

Serum appearance of anti-p53 antibody in triple negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Significance of serum appearance of anti-p53 antibody in breast cancer has not been discussed fully.

METHODS

The relationship between serum appearance of anti-p53 antibody and the clinicopathological features was investigated on the basis of the data of 42 women with breast cancer who had been treated with surgical resection.

RESULTS

The proportion of tumors with histological grade 3 was significantly higher among tumors with serum appearance of anti-p53 antibody (P = 0.020). The proportion of triple negative tumors was also significantly higher among tumors with serum appearance of anti-p53 antibody (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative appearance of anti-p53 antibody in sera can be correlated with the incidence of triple negative breast cancer and could therefore help identify tumors with aggressive potential.