Prognostic significance of IGF-1R expression in patients treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy

Abstract

Background Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor is a key receptor in apoptotic protection, cell adhesion, longevity, and transformation into a cancerous cell and can induce malignant changes in the presence of the IGF ligand. Over-expression of IGF-1R has been associated with resistance to radiation. Inhibitors of IGF-1R have been shown to enhance tumor radiation sensitivity and amplify radiation therapy-induced apoptosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of IGF-1R expression in patients with breast cancer treated with breast conserving therapy. Materials and methods Paraffin specimens from 345 women with early stage breast cancer treated with BCT were constructed into tissue microarrays and stained for IGF-1R, COX-2 and p53. The molecular profiles were correlated with clinical-pathologic factors, overall, local, and distant relapse-free survival. The association between IGF-1R, other co-variables, and outcome was assessed. Results IGF-1R over-expression was identified in 197 cases (57%). IGF-1R over-expression was found to be correlated with African-American race ( p = 0.0233), p53 status ( p = 0.0082) and COX-2 expression ( p < 0.0001). While IGF-1R over-expression was associated with lower overall survival ( p = 0.0224) in node-negative patients, there was no impact of IGF-1R expression on local control. Conclusions In node-negative patients, patients with high levels of IGF-1R were found to have a significant reduction in overall survival, but no apparent effect on local control. Given the limited published data on IGF-1R in early stage, conservatively treated patients, further studies investigating IGF-1R expression in this cohort are necessary.