Analisis of the relationship (correlation and association) between p185 and the molecular variables RE, RP, ps2, and Cat D in a series of breast cancer patients with positive lymp nodes

Abstract

Purpose: To analize the results of the comparative studies (correlation and association) between the over-expression of the p185 oncoprotein, estimated by a cuantitative assay, and the molecular variables RE, RP, pS2 and Cat D. Material and methods: In a consecutive study of 217 breast cancer patients with positive lymph nodes, the over-expression of p185 oncoprotein was estimated by cuantitative assay ELISA. Comparative studies of correlation and association between the amount of p185 and the molecular variables ER, PR, pS2 and cathepsine D were done. Results: With a media follow-up of 50 months (range 9-90 months), the correlation study between the logarithmic transformed levels of p185, estrogen and progesterone receptors did not show any correlation, but it was positive for pS2 and cathepsin D. Similar results were seen with the Sperman correlation test. When the tumoral group was dichotomized, in the p185 negative subgroup, a positive correlation for RE, RP, pS2 and CD was found. In the positive subgroup, a negative correlation for RE and RP, and a positive correlation for pS2 and CD were found. The influence of the state of p185 over the content of RE, RP, pS2 and CD was studied by the Mann-Whitney test, showing that tumours with over-expresed p185 had a mean level of RE and RP very low, equal for pS2, and high for CD than tumours with concentrations of p185 lower than 260 fmol/mg (35 fmol/mg). Similar results were obtained using the contingency table test, and also when tumours were stratified in four categories of p185: very low (p 185 <95 fmol/mg), low (p185 from 95 to 259 fmol/mg), high (p185 from 260 to 599 fmol/mg), and very high (p185 ≥ 600 fmol/mg). Conclusions: Our results suggest the identification of a tumoral subpopulation with a more agressive phenotype, and probably, with a worse outcome.