pS2 (TFF1) levels in human breast cancer tumor samples: correlation with clinical and histological prognostic markers

The expression of pS2 (TFF1) has been previously shown to identify patients with improved response to anti-hormonal therapy and more favorable outcome . In the current study, 100 human breast carcinoma samples obtained from th e Manitoba Breast Tumor Bank were analyzed for pS2 mRNA using a quantitativ e, competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qcRT-PCR) a ssay. A pS2/ss-actin cut-off criterion of 0.010 was established to classify tumors as either pS2 positive or pS2 negative. pS2 mRNA levels were positi vely associated with both ER and PR, with the majority of ER+ (59) and PR(60) tumors also being positive for pS2. In addition, a significant linear correlation was observed between the amount of pS2 mRNA and ER (p < 0.0001) and PR (p < 0.0001) protein. pS2 mRNA levels also exhibited an inverse ass ociation with tumor size and histological grade, consistent with the observ ation that pS2 is primarily expressed in small (T < 2.0 cm), but well diffe rentiated tumors (Grades I and II). No associations were observed with tumo r cell type, patient age, or lymph node status. The strong correlation disp layed between pS2 and a number of currently used breast cancer prognostic m arkers supports the clinical use of pS2 to further assess tumor status and patient outcome.