Prognostic role of HER2/neu, p53, ER and PR in breast cancer: First report from northeast of Iran

Breast cancer is one of the main causes of cancer fatality in women. Among Iranian females, it is the most common cancer which tends to affect younger ones. Molecular biomarkers such as steroid receptors, HER2/neu and p53 are valuable in evaluation the clinical course, prognosis and treatment decisions. However their prognostic role in Iranian patients has not been explained completely. The correlation of mentioned factors with survival of breast cancer has been assessed in this study. IHC staining for steroid hormone receptors, HER2/neu and p53 in 339 breast cancer patients diagnosed between 2000- 2006 was done. All cases were followed up to March 2007 and the significance of biomarker status for prognosis was analyzed. Of the 339 studied patients, 46.6%, 43.8%, 51.7% and 36.1% were positive for ER, PR, HER2/neu and p53 respectively. ER considerably correlated with PR (P = 0.000). There was a similar relation between HER2/neu and p53 (P = 0.041) as well HER2/neu and ER (P = 0.001). Survival analysis detected no correlation between molecular biomarkers and recurrence free survival. The presented pattern of prognostic role of these biomarkers is explained partly by demographic factors. Since no similar study has been conducted in this region, larger studies in the basis of demographic variables are suggested.