Changes in Tumour Biological Markers during Primary Systemic Chemotherapy (PST)

• Published in: Anticancer research 2008-05, Vol.28 (3B), p.1797-1804
• Main Authors: NEUBAUER, Hans, GALL, Christian, VOGEL, Ulrich, HORNUNG, Rene, WALLWIENER, Diethelm, SOLOMAYER, Erich, FEHM, Tanja
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - biosynthesis; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Breast Neoplasms - surgery; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Ki-67 Antigen - biosynthesis; Mammary gland diseases; Medical sciences; Neoplasm Staging; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - biosynthesis; Receptor, ErbB-2 - biosynthesis; Receptors, Estrogen - biosynthesis; Receptors, Progesterone - biosynthesis; Tumors
• ISSN: 0250-7005; 1791-7530

Background: The influence of primary systemic therapy (PST) on the expression of relevant therapeutic markers is still under investigation. Patients and Methods: Corresponding “baseline” biopsies and post-chemotherapy surgical specimens from 87 patients treated with neoadjuvant anthracycline- or taxane-based chemotherapy were analysed for the expression of the oestrogen receptor (ER), the progesterone receptor (PR), the B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2), the v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (Her2/neu), the tumour protein p53 and the proliferation-related Ki-67 antigen. Results: The pathological response rate was 70% . Twenty-three tumours (26% ) changed hormone receptor classification after chemotherapy (7, ER; 16 PR). A significant change was also observed for Her2/neu status. Eleven tumours which were positive prior to PST down-regulated Her2/neu after chemotherapy. The median Ki-67 index decreased from 30% before to 13% after treatment (p