AMPLIFICATION OF C-MYC AND C-ERB-BETA-2 ( HER-2 NEU) IN BREAST-CANCERWITHOUT LYMPH-NODE INVOLVEMENT - CORRELATION WITH OTHER PROGNOSTIC PARAMETERS/

Amplification of c-myc and and c-erb beta-2 (HER-2/neu) proto-oncogene s were analyzed in breast cancer tissues obtained from 100 patients wi thout lymph node involvement (N-). An amplification of the c-myc gene was detected in four cases and a c-erb beta-2 (HER-2/neu) amplificatio n in eight cases. The frequency of these abnormalities were compared t o classical prognostic parameters as well as to new biological prognos tic markers (cellular cycle, cathepsin-D and pS2 protein). Most of alt ered tumors were associated to some classical poor prognostic factors such as: steroid receptor-negative tumors, poorly differentiated tumor s, high histoprognostic grade and tumor cell density. In contrast, no relation was found with new biological parameters. The analyses of the se data in relation to clinical evolution will be of interest to evalu ate their prognostic value.