Abstract
The expression of Cathepsin-D (Cath-D), c-erbB-2 and EGFR in breast cancer and its correlation to lymphatic metastases were studied in 277 cases by immunohistochemical technique. Positive staining of Cath-D was detected in 107 cases (38.62%). Among those, 89 cases (83.17%)had documented metastases in the lymph nodes. One hundred and seventy cases (61.38%) stained negative for Cath-D. Of which 64 cases (37.64%)had detectable lymphatic metastases. There is a significant difference in the rate of the lymphatic metastases between the Cath-D positive and Cath-D negative groups (x 2=55.05P<0.0001). Fifty-six out of 107 Cath-D positive cases (52.23%) were c -erbB - 2 positive as well. However, only 27 out of 170 Cath - D negative cases (15.88%) were c-erbB-2 positive. The positive rate of c-erbB - 2 in Cath - D positive group was significantly different from that of Cath - D negative group (x 2=41.58P<0.0001). Among those 107 Cath - D positive cases,49 cases (45.79%) were EGFR positive. Only 24 cases (14.12%) were EGFR positive among the 170 Cath - D negative cases. The positive rate of EGFR between these two groups was also significantly different (x 2=33.95P<0.0001). An analysis of the three mentioned markers, the lymph node metastasis and tumor size suggests that Cath - D is the most valuable indicator for tumor aggressiveness. Breast cancer cases with a positive Cath - D staining are more likely to have lymphatic metastases and a poor prognosis. Therefore, alternative therapeutic strategies and close follow ups are appropriate for these patients.
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Xu, L., Zhu, W., Zhang, T. et al. The expression of Cathepsin-D,C-erbB-2 and EGFR in breast cancer and its correlation to lymphatic metastasis. Chin J Cancer Res 7, 97–102 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03014404
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03014404