THE EXPRESSION OF CATHEPSIN－D，C－erbB－2 AND EGFR IN BREAST CANCER AND ITS CORRELATION TO LYMPHATIC ME

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THE EXPRESSION OF CATHEPSIN-D, C-erbB-2 AND EGFR IN BREAST CANCER AND ITS CORRELATION TO LYMPHATIC METASTASIS

The expression of Cathepsin-D(Cath-D),c-erbB-2 and EGFR in breast cancer and its correlation to lymphatic metastases were studied in 277 cases by immunohistochemical technique.Positive staining of CathD was detected in 107 cases(38.62%).Among those, 89cass(83.17%) had documented metastases in the lymph nodes. One hundred and seventy cases(61.38%)stained negative for Cath-D.Of which 64 cases(37.64%)had detectable lymphatic metastases. There is a significant differencd in the rate of the lymphatic metastases between the Cath-D positive and Cath-D negative groups(x2=55 .05 P<0.0001).Fifty-six out of 107 Cath-D positive cases(52.23%)were c-erbB-2 positive as well.However, ouly 27 out of 170 Cath-D ngtive cases(15.88%)were c-erbB-2 positive.The positive mte of c-erbB-2 in Cath-D positive group was significantly different from that of Cath-D negative group (x2=41.58P<0.0001). Among those 107 Cath-D positive cases,49cases(45.79%)were EGFR positive. Only 24 cases (14.12%)were EGFR positive among the 170 Cath-D negative cases. The positive rate of EGFR between these two groups was also significantly different(x2=33.95 P<0.0001).An analysis of the three mentioned markers, the lymph node metastasis and tumor size suggests that Cath-D is the most valuble indicator for tumor aggressiveness. Breast cancer cases with a positive Cath-D staining are more likely to have lymphatic metastases and a poor prognosis.Therefore, alternative therapeutic strategies and close follow ups are appropriate for these patients.