A Population-Based Investigation of the Role of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) and E-Cadherin Expression in Breast Cancer Promotion, Progression, and Therapeutic Response

Abstract

Abstract : Presented within this final report are the results of-the grant entitled A population based investigation of the role of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) and Ecadherin expression in breast cancer promotion, progression, and therapeutic response'. In regards to the specific aims of the grant, immunohistochemical staining has been completed for both FAK and E-cadherin expression. Furthermore, scoring and analysis has been completed on 629 of the samples stained for FAK and 572 samples stained for e-cadherin, providing information on the prevalence of FAK and e-cadherin expression as well as their association with other known risk and prognostic factors in breast cancer. Data collection for vital status and cause of death is complete, as is the analysis addressing the roles of FAK and e-cadherin expression in breast-cancer specific survival. The data suggest that neither FAK expression nor e-cadherin expression is significantly associated with stage of disease. In terms of 5-year survival, FAK, but not e-cadherin, expression is a significant prognostic indictor of breast cancer specific survival.