Impact of c-erb2 status on survival after high dose chemotherapy in high-risk breast cancer patients

Authors

• Okan Kuzhan, Department of Medical Onclology Gulhane School of Medicine, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.
• Ahmet Ozet, Department of Medical Onclology Gulhane School of Medicine, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.
• Cuneyt Ulutin, Department of Medical Onclology Gulhane School of Medicine, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.
• Bulent Kurt, Department of Medical Onclology Gulhane School of Medicine, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.
• Seref Komurcu, Department of Medical Onclology Gulhane School of Medicine, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.
• Bekir Ozturk, Department of Medical Onclology Gulhane School of Medicine, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.
• Selmin Ataergin, Department of Medical Onclology Gulhane School of Medicine, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.
• Omer Gunhan, Department of Medical Onclology Gulhane School of Medicine, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of c-erb2 status on survival after high-dose chemotherapy. METHODS: Between March 1997 and June 2004, a total of 54 women with breast cancer who has at least 8 metastatic lymph nodes underwent high-dose chemotherapy with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Gulhane Military Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. Archival specimens were analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization to determine the impact of c-erb2 status after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation on survival. The patients were divided into c-erb2 negative (n=20) and positive (n=11) groups. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were detected between c-erb2 negative and positive groups regarding 5-year disease-free survival (41 and 27%, log rank p=0.11), and overall survival (60 and 45%, p=0.33). Transplant related mortality did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: We found no differences between c-erb2 negative and positive groups regarding disease-free and overall survival. To clarify the value of the c-erb2 status in predicting outcome after high-dose chemotherapy, prospective randomized studies are needed.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

1374

Last Page

1379

Recommended Citation

Kuzhan, Okan; Ozet, Ahmet; Ulutin, Cuneyt; Kurt, Bulent; Komurcu, Seref; Ozturk, Bekir; Ataergin, Selmin; and Gunhan, Omer (2007) "Impact of c-erb2 status on survival after high dose chemotherapy in high-risk breast cancer patients," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 28: Iss. 9, Article 11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.4051