MAPK overexpression is associated with anthracycline resistance and increased risk for recurrence in patients with triple-negative breast cancer


Eralp Y., Derin D., ÖZLÜK M. Y., Yavuz E., Guney N., SAİP P. M., ...More

Annals of Oncology, vol.19, no.4, pp.669-674, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 19 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Doi Number: 10.1093/annonc/mdm522
  • Journal Name: Annals of Oncology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.669-674
  • Keywords: Chemo resistance, EGFR, MAPK, Prognosis, Triple-negative breast cancer
  • Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer is estimated to account for 15%-20% of all patients with breast cancer and is considered as a prognostically unfavorable subset. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic impact of various molecular factors in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Patients and methods: Tumor specimens from 109 patients with receptor-negative (estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor) breast cancer were analyzed for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and phosphoinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) expression by immunohistochemistry. The prognostic significance of these molecular factors, in addition to various prognostic variables, was investigated. Results: Fifteen (13.8%), 38 (34.9%) and 33 patients (30.3%) had positive staining for EGFR, MAPK and PI3K, respectively. MAPK was associated with anthracycline resistance (P = 0.008) and lower MAPK score was significantly associated with shorter disease-free survival (P = 0.029). Survival following relapse was significantly worse for those with a higher MAPK score (P = 0.03). Conclusion: MAPK is a significant prognostic and predictive factor in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Furthermore, the level of staining among those with a positive MAPK expression may play a prognostic role at different stages of relapse. Further translational research is required to elucidate molecular mechanisms of tumor proliferation in this subset of patients. © The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved.