Node negative breast carcinoma: Hyperprolactinemia and/or overexpression of p53 as an independent predictor of poor prognosis compared to newer and established prognosticators

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate a prognostic indicator that can differentiate node negative breast cancer patients (N = 39, T2N0M0) with high risk and low risk for the development of recurrence or metastases. Preoperative plasma prolactin (PRL) was estimated by radioimmunoassay. The expression of PRL, p53, nm23, and c‐erbB2 was investigated by immunohistochemical (IHC) localization; cathepsin D (CD, Enzyme Linked Sorbant Assay) and estrogen‐ and progesterone‐receptors (ER and PR, Dextran coated charcoal method) were estimated in the tumor cytosols. The follow‐up period was 2–6 years. Statistical comparisons were made between each marker for relapse‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Of the 39 patients, 18 had hyperprolactinemia (PRL > 20.0 ng/ml plasma), whereas overexpression of p53 was observed in 55% (17/31) tumors. These were independently and in combination associated with a reduced RFS and OS. The rest of the investigated markers did not show promising results. Hyperprolactinemia and/or overexpression of p53 were associated with aggressiveness of the tumor, early disease relapse or metastases, and poor OS in patients with node negative breast cancer. These two markers may enhance our ability to identify node negative breast cancer patients with aggressive tumors, for whom the use of adjuvant chemo and/or endocrine therapy is unequivocally justified. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Role of steroid hormones and prolactin in canine mammary cancer

“…Some authors reported that serum prolactin determinations were a good indicator of breast tumoral disease [29][30][31], while others supported that serum levels did not present any relation with the histopathological diagnosis [32].…”

Prognostic Significance of Immunohistochemically Localized Biomarkers in Stage II and Stage III Breast Cancer: A Multivariate Analysis

“…Immunohistochemical localization was performed by using the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex technique as described previously. 12 Primary antibodies and dilution used in the study are discussed herein.…”

Prolactin involvement in breast cancer.

“…In one study, hyperprolactinemia was found to be an important indicator of unfavorable prognosis in nodepositive breast cancer patients, both when evaluated singly and in conjunction with steroid receptor status (Bhatavdekar et al 1994). In another study (Patel et al 1996), hyperprolactinemia and alterations in levels of p53 were associated with aggressiveness of the tumor, early disease relapse or metastases, and poor overall survival in patients with node-negative breast cancer. However, in contrast, a surgery-induced rise in PRL was paradoxically associated with a longer disease-free survival in operable breast carcinoma in patients both with or without axillary node involvement, despite the potential stimulation of cancer cell growth by the hormone (Lissoni et al 1995).…”