Prognostic factors in human primary breast cancer: comparison of c-myc and HER2/neu amplification. |
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Authors: | E M Berns J A Foekens W L van Putten I L van Staveren H Portengen W C de Koning J G Klijn |
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Affiliation: | Division of Endocrine Oncology (Department of Medical Oncology), Dr Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. |
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Abstract: | Amplification of oncogenes in primary tumours may have prognostic and/or therapeutic significance for patients with breast cancer. We have studied HER2/neu and c-myc amplification together with steroid receptors in human primary breast tumours and related the outcome with (relapse-free) survival. A strong inverse correlation was found between HER2/neu amplification and the presence of oestrogen and progesterone receptors. Actuarial 5-years survival showed that breast cancer patients with c-myc amplification in their primary tumours experience a shorter relapse-free survival, especially in node-negative and in receptor-positive tumours, whereas HER2/neu amplification may be of prognostic value for overall survival in receptor-negative tumours. Overall, in our hands, c-myc amplification appeared to be a more potent prognosticator than HER2/neu amplification in human primary breast cancer. |
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