Hormonal profiling could be used to improve breast cancer survival rates

Survival analysis of primary breast cancer TMA stained by immunohistochemistry for AR (n = 844). A, Graphic representation of common cut-off points in AR IHC studies with most of the clinical data applying AR protein expression> 1% to indicate positive staining. Normal mammary ducts are reported to express about 12%. A stricter threshold of 75% was reported and was applied in this study. B, AR protein expression was recorded as an H score (0-400) with an H score cut-off point = 300. TMA nuclei representative of AR staining in normal breast tissue are shown (i ), next to images of RA tumor staining, the intensity of which varies from 0 to 400 (ii-vi). C, (i), Kaplan-Meier of univariate OS analysis of RA in the total population, log rank P = 0.07. (ii), Kaplan-Meier of PFS from the same population, log rank P = 0.001. (iii), Kaplan-Meier of univariate OS analysis of RA in the ER population, log rank P = 0.18. (iv), Kaplan-Meier of PFS from the same population, log rank P = 0.002. (v), Kaplan-Meier of univariate OS analysis of RA in the triple negative population, log rank P = 0.33. (vi), Kaplan-Meier of PFS from the same population, log rank P = 0.013. Credit: DOI: 10.1158 / 1078-0432.CCR-20-4135

A study by the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences provided insight into the role hormones play in the development of breast cancer in female patients. The new findings could improve treatment for breast cancer, help clinicians optimize care for individual patients, and improve overall patient survival rates.

The study titled “Steroid Ligands, the Forgotten Triggers of Nuclear Receptor Action; Implications for Acquired Resistance to Endocrine Therapy”, is published in Clinical cancer research.

The hormone estrogen has been proven to impact the development of breast cancer and there is strong evidence that other hormones such as androgens may also play a role.

According to the WHO, 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. Apart from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Ireland. Every year in Ireland, 3,600 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and the majority of them receive hormonal treatment.

Patients may respond to hormone therapy differently, with some responding more positively than others. This study analyzed the hormonal profiles of patients to give researchers a better understanding of how breast cancer cells are affected by different hormones and why patients respond differently to hormone therapy.

The study found that the hormonal profiles before and after treatment play an important role in the success of the therapy. This discovery opens the door to further studies on larger cohorts of patients to improve the success rates associated with breast cancer treatment.

“Hormones are powerful signaling molecules that play an important role in helping our bodies function normally and respond to the world around us. For over 100 years, we have known that estrogen plays a role in the growth of breast cancer and many common drugs prescribed to treat it are to reduce the amount of these hormones or to block their action. Unfortunately, not all patients will respond to these drugs and we need a better way to determine the response to this type of therapy, ”said Dr. Marie McIlroy, study lead author and Senior Lecturer, Research in Endocrine Oncology, Department of Surgery, RCSI.

“By looking at each person’s tumor hormone levels, we get a better idea of ​​the differences between people who respond well to hormone therapy and those who don’t, potentially allowing us to make more informed decisions about options. treatment for patients.”

Provided by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences