Abstract
Endocrine resistance is a significant problem in breast cancer treatment. Thus identification and validation of novel resistance determinants is important to improve treatment efficacy and patient outcome. In our work, AGR2 expression was determined by qRT-PCR in Tru-Cut needle biopsies from tamoxifen-treated postmenopausal breast cancer patients. Our results showed inversed association of AGR2 mRNA levels with primary treatment response (P = 0.0011) and progression-free survival (P = 0.0366) in 61 ER-positive breast carcinomas. As shown by our experimental and clinical evaluations, elevated AGR2 expression predicts decreased efficacy of tamoxifen treatment. From this perspective, AGR2 is a potential predictive biomarker enabling selection of an optimal algorithm for adjuvant hormonal therapy in postmenopausal ER-positive breast cancer patients.
Highlights
Breast cancer is the most common women’s malignancy, with growing incidence primarily in advanced countries
We previously showed in consecutive group of ER-positive breast carcinomas that elevated levels of AGR2 mRNA predict significantly shorter disease free survival [4]
In the present work, we have investigated the expression of AGR2 in a cohort of inoperable postmenopausal breast cancer patients with respect to response to tamoxifen treatment
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common women’s malignancy, with growing incidence primarily in advanced countries. 30–40% of women are diagnosed with metastatic cancer or develop metastases and die from their disease [1]. The most important group of breast cancers is hormone sensitive tumors, characterized by expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PgR). These tumors encompass approximately 70% of all breast cancers and are significantly clinicopathologically different from ERnegative tumors. Determination of ER status is an essential part of the diagnostic procedure in breast cancer patients. Approximately one third of patients with ER-positive breast cancer either do not respond to tamoxifen or develop resistance, which constitutes a serious clinical problem. Identification of novel, reliable, and identifiable biomarkers indicating resistance to this drug is of general interest
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
