Oncology Reviews (Dec 2011)

Changes in biological markers, particularly hormone receptors, due to pre-operative chemotherapy (epirubicin/docetaxel) in operable breast cancer

  • Rumiko Tashima,
  • Reiki Nishimura

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4081/oncol.2008.229
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 4

Abstract

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We investigated the correlation between biological markers prior to pre-operative chemotherapy with epirubicin and docetaxel (ET therapy) and the effect of treatment as well as the clinically significant changes in biological markers before and after chemotherapy. Since April 2002, 52 patients with tumors ≥3 cm in diameter or lymph node metastases have received pre-operative ET chemotherapy. The items investigated were ER/PgR, proliferative activity (MIB-1), etc. The correlation of changes in these factors between pre- and post-treatment status and the clinical and pathological responses was investigated. Clinical response was 82%, BCS rate was 67%. Pathological response was 31.4%. The ER/PgR positive cell rate significantly decreased from 48%/32% to 37%/14%. The MIB-1 decreased from 48% to 27%. The pathological response was significantly high in patients with low ER/PgR-positive rates and those with high MIB-1 values.

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