Expression of selected markers in patients treated for breast cancer – based on our own data

Abstract

Background

Breast cancer patients’ long-term survival rate depends on many factors, such as the biological features of the tumour, stage of disease and mode of treatment. In most cases, in management of breast cancer combination therapy is used, according to indications. Qualification for adjuvant therapy is based on the assessment of several factors of established prognostic and predictive values. As a standard the patient's age, primary tumour size, axillary lymph node involvement, cancer histological type, its malignancy grade and steroid receptor expression are considered.

Aim

Analysis of status of selected immunohistochemical markers in a set of consecutive patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer.

Materials/Methods

Samples from 623 patients were examined. Colour reaction was used for oestrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptors, P53 protein, cathepsin D and c-erbB-2. Overexpression of HER-2 protein was examined in 150 patients.

Results

The presence of oestrogen receptors in cell nuclei was detected in 431 (69.2%) patients, of progesterone receptors in 504 (80.2%), and ER+, PgR+ phenotype in 382 (61%) patients. Cathepsin D expression was observed in 438 (70.3%) subjects. In 176 (27.3%) patients P53 protein accumulation was observed. Oncoprotein c-erbB-2 overexpression was observed in 99 (15.9%) and overexpression of HER-2 receptor in 29 (19.8%) patients.

Conclusions

Nowadays oestrogen receptors are detected more frequently than in patients treated in the years 1980–1986. Detection rates of cathepsin D and P53 protein expression remain at comparable levels. The difference observed in detection rate of c-erbB-2 expression requires further analysis. Assessment of the correlation between expression of studied immunohistochemical markers and survival rate is necessary.