Prognostic significance of Helix pomatia lectin and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein in human breast cancer
1993

Prognostic Significance of Helix Pomatia Lectin and c-erbB-2 in Breast Cancer

Sample size: 120 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): M. Thomas, M. Noguchi, L. Fonseca, H. Kitagawa, K. Kinoshita, I. Miyazaki

Primary Institution: Kanazawa University Hospital

Hypothesis

Does Helix pomatia lectin staining provide prognostic information in breast cancer patients?

Conclusion

HPA staining is a significant predictor of poorer disease-free and overall survival in breast cancer patients.

Supporting Evidence

  • HPA staining was present in 48% of breast carcinomas studied.
  • HPA staining was significantly associated with axillary lymph node metastases.
  • Patients with HPA+/c-erbB-2+ status had a higher incidence of axillary lymph node metastases.
  • The 10-year disease-free survival rate was 87% for HPA- patients and 60% for HPA+ patients.
  • Multivariate analysis indicated that HPA staining and c-erbB-2 expression were independent prognostic factors.

Takeaway

This study found that a specific test can help doctors know which breast cancer patients might need more aggressive treatment.

Methodology

The study analyzed 120 breast cancer patients' tumor samples for HPA staining and c-erbB-2 expression, correlating these with survival outcomes.

Limitations

The study did not determine the prognostic value of the combination of HPA staining and c-erbB-2 expression in axillary lymph node-negative patients due to small sample size.

Participant Demographics

Patients included 61 premenopausal and 59 postmenopausal women, with ages ranging from under 35 to over 51.

Statistical Information

P-Value

P<0.000006

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

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