Expression Patterns of Biomarkers in Primary Tumors and Corresponding Metastases in Breast Cancer

TY - JOUR

T1 - Expression Patterns of Biomarkers in Primary Tumors and Corresponding Metastases in Breast Cancer

AU - Kümler, Iben

AU - Balslev, Eva

AU - Knop, Ann S

AU - Brünner, Nils

AU - Klausen, Tobias W

AU - Jespersen, Sofie S

AU - Nielsen, Signe L

AU - Nielsen, Dorte L

PY - 2018

Y1 - 2018

N2 - Tumor heterogeneity has been shown for several cancers including breast cancer (BC). Despite the fact that expression of tumor markers may change throughout the metastatic process, rebiopsies at the time of recurrence are still not performed routinely at all institutions. The aims of the study were to evaluate changes in biomarker profiles during the metastatic process and to investigate whether previous anthracycline or endocrine therapy given in the adjuvant setting could affect the biomarker profile in metastatic lesions. We investigated the expression pattern of ER, HER2, TOP2a, TOP1, p53, Bcl-2, and Ki-67 in 110 paired samples of primary BC and corresponding asynchronous metastases. We found discordant expressions in primary tumor and metastasis for all biomarkers, although only significant for Ki-67. Changes in the expression profile of the metastatic lesions would have altered treatment decisions in 14% of patients. We found no effect of previous anthracycline or endocrine therapy on the expression profiles. Our data confirm that discordant expressions of biomarkers are common in BC and often carry therapeutic consequences. This emphasizes the need for biopsies from metastatic lesions, even in cases where the localization of the metastatic process is not easily accessible.

AB - Tumor heterogeneity has been shown for several cancers including breast cancer (BC). Despite the fact that expression of tumor markers may change throughout the metastatic process, rebiopsies at the time of recurrence are still not performed routinely at all institutions. The aims of the study were to evaluate changes in biomarker profiles during the metastatic process and to investigate whether previous anthracycline or endocrine therapy given in the adjuvant setting could affect the biomarker profile in metastatic lesions. We investigated the expression pattern of ER, HER2, TOP2a, TOP1, p53, Bcl-2, and Ki-67 in 110 paired samples of primary BC and corresponding asynchronous metastases. We found discordant expressions in primary tumor and metastasis for all biomarkers, although only significant for Ki-67. Changes in the expression profile of the metastatic lesions would have altered treatment decisions in 14% of patients. We found no effect of previous anthracycline or endocrine therapy on the expression profiles. Our data confirm that discordant expressions of biomarkers are common in BC and often carry therapeutic consequences. This emphasizes the need for biopsies from metastatic lesions, even in cases where the localization of the metastatic process is not easily accessible.

KW - Anthracyclines/pharmacology

KW - Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics

KW - Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy

KW - Endocrine Gland Neoplasms/drug therapy

KW - Female

KW - Gene Expression Profiling

KW - Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects

KW - Humans

U2 - 10.1097/PAI.0000000000000380

DO - 10.1097/PAI.0000000000000380

M3 - Review

C2 - 27753656

SN - 1541-2016

VL - 26

SP - 13

EP - 19

JO - Applied Immunohistochemistry & Molecular Morphology

JF - Applied Immunohistochemistry & Molecular Morphology

IS - 1

ER -