Association between HER-2/neu and the progesterone receptor in oestrogen-dependent breast cancer is age-related.

Abstract

In oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, HER-2/neu and the progesterone receptor (PR) are inversely associated. This explains a lower response to anti-oestrogens if ER+ breast cancers are HER-2/neu positive. One randomized study however, showed that premenopausal women with an ER+ breast cancer respond to anti-oestrogens independent of HER-2/neu. We therefore hypothesized an age-related association between HER-2/neu and PR in ER+ breast cancers. Receptors for ER, PR and HER-2/neu were analysed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). A uni- and multivariate analyses was carried out to assess this relationship in 1104 women with an ER+ breast cancer. We observed an inverse association between HER-2/neu and PR only after age 45. There were 173 women of age<or=45 and 931 of age>45 years. In multivariate analysis, only tumour grade (p=0.005) but not PR status was associated with HER-2/neu in women age<or=45 years. However, in age>45 years group, both PR status (p=0.001) and tumour grade (p=0.001) were independently associated with HER-2/neu. In ER+ breast cancers from women age>45, PR was positive in 76.9% if HER-2/neu negative but in 53.4% if HER-2/neu positive (p<0.001) and the median quantitative PR levels are 150 and 75 respectively in HER-2/neu negative and HER-2/neu positive tumours (p=0.002). This age effect of HER-2/neu on the PR status was not seen in women age<or=45 years and the median quantitative PR levels are 200 and 220 respectively in HER-2/neu negative and HER-2/neu positive tumours (p=0.518). The study confirms an age-related inverse relationship between HER-2/neu and PR only in women age>45 years but not in women age<or=45 years.

• Authors: Huei-Jean Huang, Patrick Neven, Maria Drijkoningen, Robert Paridaens, Hans Wildiers, Erik Van Limbergen, Patrick Berteloot, Frederic Amant, Marie Rose Christiaens, Ignace Vergote
• Journal: Breast cancer research and treatment (Breast Cancer Res Treat) Vol. 91 Issue 1 Pg. 81-7 (May 2005) ISSN: 0167-6806 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 15868434 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Receptors, Estrogen
• Receptors, Progesterone
• Receptor, ErbB-2

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aging (physiology)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Breast Neoplasms (genetics, physiopathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Middle Aged
• Multivariate Analysis
• Postmenopause
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Premenopause
• Prognosis
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Receptors, Estrogen (analysis)
• Receptors, Progesterone (analysis)