A. Tsuchiya et al., IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL OVEREXPRESSION OF C-ERBB-2 IN THE PROGNOSIS OF BREAST-CANCER, SURGERY TODAY-THE JAPANESE JOURNAL OF SURGERY, 23(10), 1993, pp. 885-890
Immunohistochemical c-erbB-2 protein overexpression was detected in 34
of 124 (27.4%) paraffin-embedded breast cancer specimens. Although no
difference was seen between the c-erbB-2 positive and negative groups
in 5-year disease-free survival, 5-year overall survival was signific
antly less favorable in the c-erbB-2 positive group. Furthermore, pati
ents graded as having positive c-erbB-2 staining and aneuploid DNA sho
wed significantly poorer survival than those in other categories. The
significant prognostic factors, determined by a multivariate analysis,
were nodal status and c-erbB-2 overexpression. Our findings therefore
suggest that c-erbB-2 expression is a prognostic factor in breast can
cer and that it could be useful in the determination of postoperative
adjuvant therapy.