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The neu ‐oncogene protein as a predictive factor for haematogenous metastases in breast cancer patients
Author(s) -
De Potter Christian R.,
Beghin Catherine,
Makar Amin P.,
Vandekerckhove Dirk,
Roels Hendrik J.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.2910450112
Subject(s) - immunohistochemistry , breast cancer , medicine , lymph node , mammary gland , monoclonal antibody , pathology , staining , antibody , cancer , oncology , immunology
In a prospective study with a median follow‐up of 13 months on a series of 71 breast cancer patients, 9 developed haematogenous metastases. The neu protein was found on the cell membranes in 27 of the 71 carcinomas (38%) by an immunohistochemical technique using a monoclonal antibody (MAb). Eight of the 9 patients with haematogenous metastases showed overexpression of the neu protein. Immunohistochemical staining of the cell membrane was inversely correlated with the oestrogen and the progesterone receptor status. There was no correlation with lymph‐node involvement. The immunohistochemical detection of the neu protein in breast adenocarcinomas is an independent factor in predicting the patients at risk for haematogenous tumour spread and is therefore correlated with unfavourable prognosis.