c-erbB2 and topoisomerase II[alpha] protein expression independently predict poor survival in primary human breast cancer: a retrospective study

Introduction c-erbB2 (also known as HER-2/neu) and topoisomerase II[alpha] are frequently overexpressed in breast cancer. The aim of the study was to analyze retrospectively whether the expression of c-erbB2 and topoisomerase II[alpha] protein influences the long-term outcome of patients with primar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Breast cancer research : BCR 2005-03, Vol.7 (3)
Main Authors: Fritz, Peter, Cabrera, Cristina M, Dippon, Jürgen, Gerteis, Andreas, Simon, Wolfgang, Aulitzky, Walter E, van der Kuip, Heiko
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Anthracyclines
Breast cancer
Cancer
Formaldehyde
Immunohistochemistry
Oncology, Experimental
Patient outcomes
Prognosis
Proteins
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Summary:Introduction c-erbB2 (also known as HER-2/neu) and topoisomerase II[alpha] are frequently overexpressed in breast cancer. The aim of the study was to analyze retrospectively whether the expression of c-erbB2 and topoisomerase II[alpha] protein influences the long-term outcome of patients with primary breast cancer. Methods In this study c-erbB2 and topoisomerase II[alpha] protein were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue from 225 samples of primary breast cancer, obtained between 1986 and 1998. The prognostic value of these markers was analyzed. Results Of 225 primary breast tumor samples, 78 (34.7%) showed overexpression of either c-erbB2 (9.8%) or topoisomerase II[alpha] protein (24.9%), whereas in 21 tumors (9.3%) both proteins were found to be overexpressed. Patients lacking both c-erbB2 and topoisomerase II[alpha] overexpression had the best long-term survival. Overexpression of either c-erbB2 or topoisomerase II[alpha] was associated with shortened survival, whereas patients overexpressing both c-erbB2 and topoisomerase II[alpha] showed the worst disease outcome (P < 0.0001). Treatment with anthracyclines was not capable of reversing the negative prognostic impact of topoisomerase II[alpha] or c-erbB2 overexpression. Conclusion The results of this exploratory study suggest that protein expression of c-erbB2 and topoisomerase II[alpha] in primary breast cancer tissues are independent prognostic factors and are not exclusively predictive factors for anthracycline response in patients with primary breast cancer.
ISSN:1465-5411
DOI:10.1186/bcr1012