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. 1993 Mar;67(3):625–629. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1993.114

Prognostic significance of c-erbB-2 expression in node negative breast cancer.

S Bianchi 1, M Paglierani 1, G Zampi 1, G Cardona 1, L Cataliotti 1, R Bonardi 1, S Ciatto 1
PMCID: PMC1968263  PMID: 8094977

Abstract

The prognostic value of c-erbB-2 oncogene expression was studied retrospectively in a consecutive series of 230 node negative breast cancers, followed-up for at least 7 years after primary treatment. The expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was determined on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue, using a monoclonal anti-c-erbB-2 antibody by the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method. Positive immunostaining was observed in 20.9% of cases, whereas strong diffuse positivity was recorded only in 8.7% of cases. C-erbB-2 gene product showed no association to T category or nuclear grade. A significant association of c-erbB-2 expression to prognosis was observed only for cases showing a strong diffuse immunostaining, but such an association was no longer statistically significant at multivariate analysis adjusting for other prognostic factors such as T category and nuclear grading. C-erbB-2 expression is of no value to predict the clinical course of node negative patients in the current practice.

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Selected References

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