Age-related Variation in Expression of Breast Cancer Tumour Markers in Iranian Patients

Background: There are believed to be several risk factors affecting the prognosis of breast cancer through their effect on the growth rate of tumour. In the present study, we investigated estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor ۲ (HER۲), Ki-۶۷, and tumor protein P۵۳ (TP۵۳) as well-known biomarkers, particularly in breast cancer prognosis, associated with age. Method: In a case-control study, ۴۰۶ breast cancer patients were considered retrospectively. In order to extract the clinical and pathologic data, we employed the patients’ records. The extracted information was compared between two groups: for patients under ۴۰ (group I) and above ۴۰ years of age (group II). Herein, the researchers performed statistical analysis using SPSS Ver۱۶. Results: The most prevalent type of cancer in both groups was found to be invasive ductal carcinoma. The major method of treatment was modified radical mastectomy. According to our observations, grade ۳ breast cancer was more common in group I. Lymph node involvement significantly increased in group I, while oestrogen and progesterone receptor expressions were less in this group. HER۲, TP۵۳, and Ki-۶۷ oncogenes were overexpressed in group I compared with group II. Conclusion: Expression of HER۲, TP۵۳, and Ki-۶۷ biomarkers and a reduction in the number of hormonal receptors in younger patients (<۴۰YO) indicated that breast cancer might be more invasive in younger women with breast cancer and therefore, they might have poorer prognosis and less favourable outcomes.

Keywords:

HER۲ , Breast cancer , Biomarkers , Ki-۶۷ , TP۵۳ , Triple negative