TY - JOUR
T1 - c-erbB-2 (HER-2/NEU) gene amplification is a better indicator of poor prognosis than protein over-expression in operable breast-cancer patients
AU - Riou, Guy
AU - Mathieu, Marie Christine
AU - Barrois, Michel
AU - Bihan, Marie Luce Le
AU - Ahomadegbe, Jean Charles
AU - Bnard, Jean
AU - Lê, Monique G.
PY - 2001/7/20
Y1 - 2001/7/20
N2 - Our aim was to compare the prognostic value of c-erbB-2 gene amplification analyzed by Southern blot with that of protein (p185) over-expression measured by immunohistochemistry in 172 patients with operable breast cancer (BC). Amplification and p185 over-expression were found in 31 (18%) and 51 (30%) BCs, respectively. All but I of the tumors showed both amplification and over-expression, while 21 (12%) tumors displayed over-expression without amplification. The risk of death associated with c-erbB-2 gene amplification and p 185 over-expression was evaluated by multivariate analysis, taking into account tumor size, histoprognostic grade, hormone receptors and axillary node status. During a mean follow-up of 9.5 (±2) years, node involvement (p > 0.001), c-erbB-2 gene amplification (p = 0.02) and negative hormone receptors (p = 0.02) were found to be independent prognostic indicators of the risk of death. Over-expression of p 185 with no amplification was not correlated with this risk. When the risk of death associated with c-erbB-2 amplification was studied according to chemo- and hormone therapy, no significant difference was observed between subgroups of subjects. Amplification was also associated (p = 0.02) with the risk of multifocal distant metastases (i.e., metastases detected concomitantly in at least 2 sites) and, thus, with BC aggressiveness. These data show the importance of c-erbB-2 gene amplification in predicting the long-term outcome of patients and in selecting eligible patients for c-erbB-2-targeted therapies.
AB - Our aim was to compare the prognostic value of c-erbB-2 gene amplification analyzed by Southern blot with that of protein (p185) over-expression measured by immunohistochemistry in 172 patients with operable breast cancer (BC). Amplification and p185 over-expression were found in 31 (18%) and 51 (30%) BCs, respectively. All but I of the tumors showed both amplification and over-expression, while 21 (12%) tumors displayed over-expression without amplification. The risk of death associated with c-erbB-2 gene amplification and p 185 over-expression was evaluated by multivariate analysis, taking into account tumor size, histoprognostic grade, hormone receptors and axillary node status. During a mean follow-up of 9.5 (±2) years, node involvement (p > 0.001), c-erbB-2 gene amplification (p = 0.02) and negative hormone receptors (p = 0.02) were found to be independent prognostic indicators of the risk of death. Over-expression of p 185 with no amplification was not correlated with this risk. When the risk of death associated with c-erbB-2 amplification was studied according to chemo- and hormone therapy, no significant difference was observed between subgroups of subjects. Amplification was also associated (p = 0.02) with the risk of multifocal distant metastases (i.e., metastases detected concomitantly in at least 2 sites) and, thus, with BC aggressiveness. These data show the importance of c-erbB-2 gene amplification in predicting the long-term outcome of patients and in selecting eligible patients for c-erbB-2-targeted therapies.
KW - Breast cancer
KW - C-erbB-2
KW - Gene amplification
KW - Prognosis
KW - Protein over-expression
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0035919861&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/1097-0215(20010720)95:4<266::AID-IJC1045>3.0.CO;2-E
DO - 10.1002/1097-0215(20010720)95:4<266::AID-IJC1045>3.0.CO;2-E
M3 - Article
C2 - 11400121
AN - SCOPUS:0035919861
SN - 0020-7136
VL - 95
SP - 266
EP - 270
JO - International Journal of Cancer
JF - International Journal of Cancer
IS - 4
ER -