PLASMA C-ERBB2 CONCENTRATIONS IN RELATION TO CHEMOTHERAPY IN BREAST-CANCER PATIENTS

Amplification and overexpression of the C-ERBB2 oncogene have been ass ociated with a poor prognosis and a lower response to chemotherapy in human breast cancer. In this study, plasma c-erbB2 concentrations were determined using an enzyme immunoassay in patients with breast cancer . The links between c-erbB2 concentration and tumoral response to chem otherapy were established. The patients with a c-erbB2 concentration h igher than the cut-off value (27 U/ml) were considered as c-erbB2+. Te n of the 33 metastatic breast cancers were c-erbB2+. No statistically significant difference in response to chemotherapy was noted between c -erbB2+ and c-erbB2- patients (4/10 objective responses versus 10/23). Variations in c-erbB2 concentrations during treatment were not relate d to response to treatment.