Progesterone Decreases Levels of the Adhesion Protein E-Cadherin and Promotes Invasiveness of Steroid Receptor Positive Breast Cancers

Progestins are reported to increase the risk of invasive breast cancers in postmenopausal women receiving hormone therapy with estrogen plus progestin. We report here that estrogen and progesterone receptor positive (ER+PR+) rat mammary tumors arising in the presence of estrogen and progesterone exhibit increased invasiveness and decreased expression of E-cadherin protein compared with tumors growing in the presence of estrogen alone. A similar decrease of E-cadherin expression was observed in human ER+PR+ invasive ductal carcinoma compared with ductal carcinoma in situ. In agreement with findings in the rat, estrogen plus progestin R5020 treatment decreased E-cadherin expression in vitro in T47D human breast cancer cells. Decrease of E-cadherin protein was mediated by progesterone receptor B (PRB) and dependent on the activation of the Wnt pathway. These results suggest that progesterone signaling via PRB contributes to tumor invasiveness and can provide an important therapeutic target for treatment of invasive ER+PR+ breast cancers.     

Progestins initiate a luminal to myoepithelial switch in estrogen-dependent human breast tumors without altering growth

Although long-term clinical use of progestins is associated with an increased incidence of breast cancers, their role in established cancers is unclear. Estrogens are considered to be the main mitogens in the majority of breast cancers. Whether progesterone affects proliferation and/or differentiation is under debate. To assess the role of progesterone in established breast cancers, we used T47D human breast cancer cells that are estrogen receptor (ER) positive and either progesterone receptor (PR) negative or positive for PRA, PRB, or both. These cells were grown as strictly estrogen-dependent solid tumors in ovariectomized female nude mice. Progesterone or medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) alone did not support tumor growth, nor did progesterone or MPA given simultaneously with estrogen significantly alter estrogen-dependent tumor growth. However, treatment of mice bearing ER+PR+ but not ER+PR- tumors with either progesterone or MPA increased expression of the myoepithelial cytokeratins (CK) 5 and 6 in a subpopulation of tumor cells. These CK5+/CK6+ cells had decreased expression of luminal epithelial CK8, CK18, and CK19. We conclude that progestins exert differentiative effects on tumors characterized by transition of a cell subpopulation from luminal to myoepithelial. This may not be beneficial, however, because such a phenotype is associated with poor prognosis.     

Estrogen and progesterone receptor concentrations and prevalence of tumor hormonal phenotypes in older breast cancer patients.

We examined the concentrations of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) and the distribution of tumor phenotypes as a function of age in breast cancer patients. ER and PR concentrations were determined in tissue biopsies from 1739 patients with primary breast cancer, using ligand binding assays. Tumors were classified as estrogen receptor positive (ER+) or negative (ER-) and progesterone receptor positive (PR+) or negative (PR-) based on the presence or absence of receptor binding activity. Tumors were stratified into four phenotypes: ER+PR+; ER+PR-; ER-PR+; and ER-PR-. Significant positive associations were found between ER concentration and age (p = 0.0001) and between PR concentration and age (p = 0.0002). The median ER concentrations were statistically different by age groups, with the greatest levels in older versus younger patients. The prevalence of ER+PR+ tumor phenotype increased with age. In contrast, the prevalence of ER-PR- and ER-PR+ tumor phenotypes decreased with age. The median PR-to-ER ratio decreased with age (p = 0.0001), and this trend was attributed to increased ER concentration with age. The prevalence of ER-PR- and ER-PR+ tumor phenotypes is greater in younger patients suggesting that hormonal regulation of ER gene expression may be responsible for the observed age disparity of tumor phenotypes in breast cancer.     

Steroid receptors and hormones in relation to cell proliferation and apoptosis in poorly differentiated epithelial ovarian tumors.

The purpose of this study was to further investigate the role of estrogen but especially progesterone on epithelial ovarian tumor development since previous studies have suggested a relationship between serum progesterone, progesterone receptor expression and prognosis. Serum progesterone concentration, the immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ER), progesterone receptor A/B (PR), Ki-67, Bcl-2, p53, apoptosis and morphology were determined in 33 patients, all with poorly differentiated surface epithelial ovarian tumors of different types. ER was expressed in 79% and PR in 33% of the tumors. This group of aggressive tumors was highly proliferative as indicated by Ki-67 index (mean 38.9%), and in some cases proliferation appeared to be mainly located to areas with a high ER density. The majority of cases (76%), both receptor-positive and -negative, overexpressed p53. High ER expression was related to a lower apoptotic activity as compared with tumors with a low expression of the ER (p = 0.008). Serum progesterone in itself did not show any clear relationship to steroid receptor status, expression of Ki-67, p53, Bcl-2 or signs of apoptosis. Survival in this small but homogeneous group of advanced epithelial ovarian cancers, showed an improved survival rate in patients with high serum progesterone, especially in combination with expression of progesterone receptors (p = 0.04). In conclusion, estrogen and progesterone receptors in parallel with deranged p53 and Ki-67 were expressed to a great extent. The finding of a lower apoptotic activity in tumors with a high expression of ER and an indication of increased proliferation in areas with high ER density gives a rationale for antiestrogen therapy even in poorly differentiated epithelial ovarian cancers. Improved survival is related to serum progesterone, especially in combination with PR expression.     

乳腺癌组织FAP表达病理生物学意义的研究

目的:探讨乳腺癌成纤维细胞活化蛋白(FAP)的表达与乳腺癌临床病理因素和生物学预后因子(ER、PR、p53、c-erbB-2、Ki-67)的相关性,评价FAP在乳腺癌的表达意义。方法:选取经病理确诊的乳腺癌患者82例,免疫组织化学法检测乳腺癌组织FAP的表达。收集乳腺癌患者的临床病理信息,分析FAP与乳腺癌临床病理因素和生物学预后因子的表达水平的关系。结果:FAP表达与患者年龄、肿瘤部位、肿瘤大小与FAP的表达无相关性(P>0.05),临床分期与FAP表达呈正相关(r=0.922,P=0.000),病理分级与FAP表达呈弱正相关,r=0.360,P=0.001。FAP表达在有无淋巴结转移组间差异统计学意义,t=11.003,P=0.00。FAP表达与p53(r=0.498,P=0.000)、c-erbB-2(r=0.326,P=0.004)、Ki-67(r=0.449,P=0.000)的表达呈正相关,FAP表达与ER、PR的表达无相关性,P>0.05。结论:FAP在女性乳腺癌发生、发展、侵袭转移方面起到了重要的作用。FAP可作为预测乳腺癌预后的重要因子。     

Estrogen and progesterone receptors in benign breast tumors and lesions: relationship with histological and cytological features

The pattern of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) and their relationship to histo- and cyto-pathological parameters has been studied in 97 cases of benign breast disease and benign phyllode tumors (95 women, of whom 76 were premenopausal, and 2 men). Total (cytosolic + nuclear) ER and PR were assayed by a single-saturating dose method using a tris-KCl buffer. The cut-off between positive and negative ER and PR assay was 100 femtomoles/g tissue. All specimens were processed for histological examination: epithelial and fibroblastic proliferation, epithelial/stromal ratio and presence of focal or diffuse hyalinosis. In 33% of the 46 cases of fibrocystic disease one receptor at least was present (13% ER+, 31% PR+). All the 8 cases in which infiltrating epitheliosis was present were PR+ and 4 of them were also ER+. In 72% of the 31 fibroadenomas one receptor at least was present (19% ER+, 71% PR+). In all these cases levels of receptors were lower than in malignant tumors. An inverse correlation between PR + prevalence and fibrohyalinosis was observed; on the other hand a positive relationship between PR + and fibroblastic (p less than 0.001) or epithelial (p less than 0.01) proliferation was found. In all 5 benign phyllode tumors examined PR + were present at a very high level, almost as high as in malignant tumors. Of the 15 other benign breast lesions, all but one (1 hamartoma) were ER- and PR-.     

金属硫蛋白、雌激素受体和孕激素受体在乳腺癌中的表达及相关性研究

目的 探讨浸润性乳腺导管癌金属硫蛋白(MT)与雌激素受体(ER)、孕激素受体(PR)表达的意义及其相关性。方法 采用免疫组化法检测浸润性乳腺导管癌组织中MT及ER、PR表达的变化。结果MT及ER、PR在浸润性乳腺导管癌中阳性率分别为40.6％(26/64)、59.4％(38/64)和50.0％(32/64)。MT表达与乳腺癌病理分级有关(P<0.05);与有无淋巴结转移有关(P<0.05)。ER、PR表达率在MT阳性与阴性病例中有明显差异,分别为42.3％(11/26)、71.1％(27/38,P<0.05)和34.6％(9/26)、60.5％(23/38,P<0.05)。结论 乳腺癌MT表达与ER、PR表达呈明显负相关,MT有可能成为预测乳腺癌预后的指标之一。     

Breast cancers negative for estrogen receptor but positive for progesterone receptor, a true entity?

By the conventional steroid-binding assay method for receptor, 3% of 1,095 primary breast cancers (or 10.6% of 263 premenopausal tumors) were classified as negative for estrogen receptor (ER), but positive for progesterone receptor (PR). The true ER status in this rare group of tumors was further investigated by the enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) or immunocytochemical (ICA) staining method using monoclonal antibodies H222 and D547. Immunoreactive ER was present in nine ER-/PR+ tumors studied, whereas it was not detectable in nine age-matched ER-/PR- tumors. Immunoreactive ER was also present in 24 ER+ breast cancers studied, and was particularly higher in tumors that were PR+. Measurement of immunoreactive ER by monoclonal antibody method provides certain advantages over the conventional dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) method, especially in ER-/PR+ tumors.     

Comparison of ER,PR & HER-2/neu (C-erb B 2) Reactivity Pattern with Histologic Grade,Tumor Size and Lymph Node Status in Breast Cancer

Introduction: Carcinoma of the breast is the most common malignancy of women in Karachi. The currentstudy was conducted with the objective of assessing estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) andHER-2/neu reactivity patterns of mammary cancers for correlation with histologic grade, tumor size and lymphnode metastasis. Materials and methods: One hundred and fifty modified mastectomy specimens received atthe section of histopathology, Aga Khan University Hospital, were selected using a non-probability samplingmethod. Results: Mean age of the patients was 48.3 years (95%CI 46.5, 50.2). The left breast was more commonlyinvolved (57%). Tumor size ranged from 0.3 to 15.0 cm; 12% were ≤2.0 and 35.3% were ≥ 5.0 cm in diameter.The predominant morphology was infiltrating ductal carcinoma (85.3%). The majority of the cases presentedas grade II (55.3%) lesions with tumor necrosis (70%) and lymph node involvement (71.3%). ER and PR werepositive in 32.7% and 25.3% cases respectively. HER-2/neu was positive (3+) in 24.7%. ER positivity increasedand HER-2/neu positivity decreased with rising age. ER and PR expression was significantly lower in HER-2/neu positive as compared with HER-2/neu negative tumors (ER 83.8% vs 69.8%; PR 91.9% vs 77.8%). In theHER-2/neu positive tumors, ER and PR expression in high grade tumors was significantly decreased comparedwith intermediate grade tumors (ER 5.6% vs 10.5; PR 0% vs 5.3%). ER expression in the HER-2/neu positive,large sized tumors was also significantly decreased compared with smaller tumors (ER 6.3% vs 11.8). Conclusions:ER and PR expression in breast cancers in the current study was found to be comparable to publishedinternational data, but the frequency of HER-2/neu expression was higher, possibly reflecting a young age atdiagnosis. Assessment of prognostic markers for the clinical management of breast cancer patients is stronglyadvocated to provide best therapeutic options.     

乳腺癌雌、孕激素受体与腋淋巴结转移的关系

目的探讨乳腺癌雌、孕激素受体(ER、PR)与淋巴结转移之间的关系.方法应用免疫组织化学方法对257例乳腺癌组织石蜡切片进行ER、PR检测,将ER、PR结果与病理检出淋巴结的结果进行统计学分析.结果 ER、PR的阳性表达率分别为63.27%和59.27%.在ER、PR的4种组合中淋巴结转移率基本相同,经统计学处理均无显著差异(P＞0.05).结论乳腺癌组织中的ER、PR阳性表达与淋巴结转移无关.ER、PR测定对指导内分泌治疗和估计预后有重要意义.     

A review of an unfavorable subset of breast cancer: estrogen receptor positive progesterone receptor negative

Estrogen receptor (ER)(+) progesterone receptor (PR)(-) tumors are a distinct subset of breast cancers characterized by aggressive behavior and tamoxifen resistance in spite of being ER(+). They are categorized as luminal B tumors and have greater genomic instability and a higher proliferation rate. High growth factor (GF) signaling and membranous ER activity contribute to the aggressive behavior of these tumors. The absence of PR is attributable to low serum estrogen, low levels of nuclear ER, and features of molecular crosstalk between GFs and membranous ER. PR expression is also downregulated by expression of mutated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRvIII). This subset of patients has greater expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-1 and HER-2 and active GF signaling mediated by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. Currently, aromatase inhibitors, fulvestrant, and chemotherapy may be the favored treatment approaches for this subset of patients. Overcoming tamoxifen resistance with targeted therapies such as gefitinib is being evaluated and strategies involving short courses of tamoxifen have been postulated for prevention of recurrence of this subtype. Understanding the interplay between molecular endocrinology and tumor biology has provided experimental therapeutic insights, and continued work in this area holds the promise of future advances in prognosis.     

Estrogen receptors,progesterone receptors,and cell proliferation in human breast cancer

Summary The breast is a target organ for estrogens and progesterone. These hormones control several functions of the normal and abnormal mammary epithelium including cell proliferation. Most of the actions of estrogens and progesterone are mediated via specific steroid receptors, and one would expect that proliferating cells should contain estrogen receptors (ER) and/or progesterone receptors (PR). However, the correlation between receptor expression and cell proliferation is still controversial. In the present study we have examined 29 human breast cancer samples; in 17 of them we evaluated the simultaneous ER and PR localization with that of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) in a cell-by-cell study. We found that in almost 50% of the tumor biopsies examined, the cells expressing ER were significantly associated with elevated cell proliferation. In another group (38%) there were not significant differences between ER expression and cell proliferation. In only one of the samples (6%) the cells expressing ER showed lower cell proliferation. The study also revealed that in 44% of the tumors the PR expressing cells were associated with elevated cell proliferation. In a second group the PR expression was not significantly associated with cell proliferation (33% of the cases). Finally, in 22% of the samples the cells carrying PR showed lower cell proliferation. We also detected lower ER immunoreactivity in 30% of the breast cancer biopsies with one of the monoclonal antibodies against ER (antibody 1D5 directed against the A/B domain). This group of tumors was PR-negative (or very weakly positive) and had high proliferation. The presence of tumors with abnormal ER proteins and displaying ER/PR significantly associated with elevated cell proliferation could have implications in human breast cancer treatment.     

Body weight and postmenopausal breast cancer risk defined by estrogen and progesterone receptor status among Swedish women: A prospective cohort study

Although obesity is one of the established risk factors for postmenopausal breast cancer, it is not clear whether this positive association differs across estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status of breast tumors. We evaluated the association between body weight and ER/PR defined breast cancer risk stratified by postmenopausal hormone (PMH) use and a family history of breast cancer in the population-based Swedish Mammography Screening Cohort comprising 51,823 postmenopausal women. Relative body weight was measured by body mass index (kg/m2) based on self-reported weight and height collected in 1987 and 1997. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated by hazard ratios derived from Cox proportional hazards regression models. During an average of 8.3-year follow-up, 1,188 invasive breast cancer cases with known ER and PR status were diagnosed. When comparing to normal weight group, we observed a positive association between obesity and risk for the development of ER+ PR+ tumors (RR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.34-2.07) and an inverse association for the development of all PR- tumors (RR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.47-0.98). Statistically significant heterogeneity was observed in the RRs between ER+ PR+ tumors and all PR- tumors (p(heterogeneity) < 0.0001). The positive association of obesity with the development of ER+ PR+ tumors was confined to never-users of PMHs (RR = 1.90 (CI 95%:1.38-2.61)) and to those without a family history of breast cancer (RR = 1.82 (CI 95%:1.45-2.29)). Our results support the hypothesis that excess endogenous estrogen due to obesity contributes to an increased risk of ER+ PR+ postmenopausal breast cancer.     

乳腺肿瘤雌、孕激素受体表达与细胞增殖

目的：观察乳腺肿瘤雌、孕激素受体表达与细胞增殖的关系。方法：用免疫细胞化学技术（ＡＢＣ法）对经病理确诊２５５例恶性和６６０例良性乳腺肿瘤进行了ＥＲ、ＰＲ、ｃ－ｅｒｂＢ－２、ｐ５３基因蛋白表达和Ｋｉ－６７抗原检测。结果：良、恶性乳腺肿瘤间,ＥＲ、ＰＲ阳性率均有极显著差异。良性肿瘤组中,ＥＲ＋ＰＲ＋组和ＥＲ－ＰＲ－组间差异有显著性;ｐ５３表达率在ＥＲ、ＰＲ阴、阳性组间差异有显著性;ｃ－ｅｒｂＢ－２表达     

HER-2/neu overexpression and hormone dependency in endometrial cancer: analysis of cohort and review of literature

BACKGROUND: Overexpression of HER-2/neu (HER) is associated with unfavorable prognoses in both endometrial and breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine whether an association exists between HER expression and markers of hormone dependency in endometrial cancers, we subjected hysterectomy specimens from 125 patients to immunohistochemical staining for HER. HER was visually interpreted as negative/weakly positive (HER-) versus strongly positive (HER+). Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) levels were quantitated on fresh tissue using a dextran-coated charcoal assay. RESULTS: HER+ was observed in 12% of endometrioid tumors and 22% of nonendometrioid tumors (p = 0.07). Mean ER and PR levels were 255 fmol/mg and 457 fmol/mg in endometrioid tumors, compared with 74 and 104 in nonendometrioid tumors (p < 0.01). Hyperplasia associated with the tumor was related to high levels of both ER and PR (p < 0.05), but not with HER expression. Age was significantly related to high levels of ER (p = 0.007). Both recurrence and death rates were significantly associated with low levels of ER and PR (p < 0.01). Mean ER and PR levels were 270 and 466 fmol/mg, respectively, in HER-tumors, compared with 95 (p = 0.14) and 138 fmol/mg (p = 0.02) in HER+ tumors. CONCLUSION: HER overexpression may be an important step in hormone-independent growth and proliferation in a subgroup of endometrial cancers.     

Clinico-Morphological Profile and Receptor Status in Breast Cancer Patients in a South Indian Institution

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide and the second most commoncancer in females in India. Receptor status may be important for survival. Objective: To analyse and correlatethe clinical and morphological parameters with receptor status in breast carcinoma patients in a tertiary careinstitution in Southern India. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study involved 320 patients of breastcancer diagnosed in an oncology hospital over a period of 3½ years. Data was analysed using SPSS Version 21.Results: Some 60.6% patients with breast carcinomas belonged to the age group of 40 to 60 years. The mostcommon histological type was infiltrating ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified, accounting for 84.4% ofpatients. On immunohistochemistry, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were expressed in56.3% and 53.1% of cases, respectively. Conclusions: Breast cancers in India, a developing country, occur inyounger women and tend to be more aggressive with lower rates of ER and PR expression and higher histologicaltumor grades. Both ER and PR status of the tumors had significant associations with the patient age, pathologicalTNM stage and histological tumor grade.     

The effect of estrogen usage on the subsequent hormone receptor status of primary breast cancer

In order to determine if prior use of exogenous estrogens was related to the estrogen receptor (ER) content of primary breast cancers, a retrospective analysis was performed from 536 patients with invasive breast cancer. The patient's age, menopausal status, oral contraceptive or estrogen replacement therapy usage, and the ER and progesterone receptor (PR) content of the breast cancer were recorded for all patients. Hormone usage in premenopausal and postmenopausal patients was compared to ER and PR levels in primary breast cancers using nonparametric testing. Complete information was available from 508 (193 premenopausal and 315 postmenopausal) patients. Breast cancers were ER positive in 72% of postmenopausal patients and 57% of premenopausal patients. The majority of patients received 'Some' form of hormone therapy (111 of 193 premenopausal patients and 233 of 315 postmenopausal patients). Significantly more estrogen receptors were detected in tumors from patients receiving 'some' estrogen therapy compared to 'never' users. Postmenopausal patients 'never receiving estrogen therapy had a lower rate of ER positive tumors (62%) compared to 'some' users (75% ²=4.99, p<0.05). The same relationship was seen for PR ('never' users 44% positive, 'some' users 58% positive, ²=5.19, p<0.05). We conclude that postmenopausal patients who received 'some' estrogen therapy are more likely to have breast cancers that are estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor positive.     

The proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib (Velcade) as potential inhibitor of estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer

Around 70% of breast cancers express the estrogen receptor α (ERα) and depend on estrogen for growth, survival and disease progression. The presence of hormone sensitivity is usually associated with a favorable prognosis. Use of adjuvant anti‐endocrine therapy has significantly decreased breast cancer mortality in patients with early‐stage disease, and anti‐endocrine therapy also plays a central role in the treatment of advanced stages. However a subset of hormone receptor‐positive breast cancers do not benefit from anti‐endocrine therapy, and nearly all hormone receptor‐positive metastatic breast cancers ultimately develop resistance to anti‐hormonal therapies. Despite new insights into mechanisms of anti‐endocrine therapy resistance, e.g., crosstalk between ERα and Her2/neu, the management of advanced hormone‐receptor‐positive breast cancers that are resistant to anti‐endocrine agents remains a significant challenge. In the present study, we demonstrate that the proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib strongly inhibits ERα and HER2/neu expression, increases expression of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors, inhibits expression of multiple genes associated with poor prognosis in ERα+ breast cancer patients and induces cell death in ER+ breast cancer cells in both the presence and absence of functional p53. Although Bortezomib increased the levels of p53 and increased the expression of pro‐apoptotic target genes in ERα+ breast cancer cells harboring wild‐type p53, Bortezomib also exerts anti‐tumoral effects on ERα+ breast cancer cells through suppression of ERα expression and inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and ERK signaling independently of functional p53. These findings suggest that Bortezomib might have the potential to improve the management of anti‐endocrine therapy resistant ERα+ breast cancers independently of their p53 status.