Associations between clinical-pathological parameters and biomarkers, HER-2, TYMS, RRMI, and 21-gene recurrence score...

Chemotherapy is the predominant treatment option for patients with breast cancer. Selection of patients according to biomarker will improve chemotherapy efficacy. In the present study, we examined the relations of the expression of candidate genes and 21-recurrence score (RS) results to patients' demographic characteristics, histopathological factors, and outcomes.

A total of 146 patients were enrolled in this study. The patients underwent 21-gene RS testing. In addition, expressions of candidate genes, TYMS, RRM1, TUBB3, TOP2A, PTEN, were detected. Information was obtained on age, tumor size, TMN stage, tumor grade, and status of Ki-67, HER2, ER and PR. The treatment information on the type of endocrine therapy was also obtained.

Results clearly showed that the 21-gene RS significantly correlated with the TNM stage of breast cancer (P = 0.047). The RS also correlated with the number of sentinel lymph node (P = 0.038). The pathological type of tumors was strongly associated with the expression of RRM1 (P < 0.015), and slightly correlated with TYMS (P = 0.095) and tumor size (P = 0.061). Further analysis showed that TYMS and RRM1 were two independent factors affecting the disease progression of patients. Besides, for HER-2 stain, staining of grade 2 or above significantly increased the risk of disease progression.

Our studies showed that TNM stage and sentinel lymph node were important clinical parameters correlated with 21-gene RS results. Also, RRM1, TYMS and HER2 expressions were independent factors associated with disease progression in breast cancer patients. Future study is warranted to investigate the usefulness of these genes in treatment efficacy.