Artikel
Factors influencing receptor states in breast cancer patients – Results from a German population-based case-control study
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Veröffentlicht: | 8. September 2005 |
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Background
Expresssions of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) in malignant breast tumours are relevant prognostic and therapeutical markers. Little is known about reproductive, lifestyle, and socio-demographic factors determining receptor states.
Methods
The Interdisciplinary Study Group on Gene-Environment Interaction and Breast Cancer in Germany (GENICA) conducted a population-based case-control study in the Bonn area. Among incident cases, we analyzed potential predictors of ER, PR, and HER2. The median age of the cases was 59 years (range 23 - 80 years). Epidemiological data were obtained in interviews by trained staff. Receptor states were determined immunohistochemically by standard methodology. ER states were available for N=517, PR states for N=509, and HER2 states for N=381 women. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for a receptor positive outcome using conditional logistic regression models. Potential confounders were selected according to literature.
Results and Conclusion
ER positive tumours were found in 78.0%, PR positive in 67.0%, and HER2 positive tumours in 31.5% of the breast cancer cases. Older age was associated with a positive ER and PR state. Current use of hormone therapy (HT) strongly affected ER positivity (OR 3.31, 95% CI 1.59 – 6.88). Parity of three and more children halved the risk for a HER2 positive state (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.25 – 0.93). Breast cancer in mother or sister exclusively affected the PR positivity (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.01 – 5.08). Our results support evidence that steroid receptor positive breast tumours increase with age after menopause and HT use.