engleski

Prognostic significance of bcl-2, nm 23 and HER-2 protein expression in breast cancer

Objective: This paper presents a retrospective analysis of biopsy material as performed at the Department of Pathology, University Hospital for Tumors in Zagreb, in a series of 120 patients treated for breast cancer at the Department of Surgical Oncology from January to December 31, 2001. Methods: Immunohistochemical expression of bcl-2 and nm 23 proteins showed a positive cytoplasmic reaction in breast cancer cells. Results:There was a statistically significant difference between patient groups with grade I and grade III tumors, showing higher expression levels of bcl-2 in well-differentiated than in poorly differentiated (P = 0, 061) invasive ductal carcinoma. In well-differentiated tumors, there was a statistically significant difference between the expression of bcl-2 and steroid receptors (P <0, 001). Women with a median age of 70 years showed a positive reaction for nm 23, while in younger women (median 58 years) the reaction was negative (P = 0, 042). Poorly differentiated breast cancers showed an increased expression level of HER-2 in relation to well- differentiated tumors (P = 0, 021). HER-2 was more often negative in patients with well- differentiated tumors and one or booth positive receptors. Conclusion: Practice and Implications: The present study demonstrated that the bcl-2 protein is a useful prognostic indicator, and thus an interesting tool for further targeted therapy in breast cancer.

bcl-2, breast cancer, HER-2, nm 23, prognostic factors

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