Expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in primary breast cancer: immunohistochemical analysis

Hum Pathol. 2004 Dec;35(12):1537-42. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2004.09.005.

Abstract

Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) has been implicated in regulation in tumor growth. The results of previous studies performed by radioimmunoassay are conflicting, and the prognostic significance of IGF-1R expression in primary breast cancer is still controversial. IGF-1R expression was evaluated in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue of 210 primary breast cancer patients by using anti-IGF-1R antibody. The clinicopathologic variables and 5-year disease-free survival were studied, and their correlations between IGF-1R expressions were investigated. IGF-1R overexpression was observed in 43.8% of tumors. IGF-1R overexpression had no correlation with prognosis or with other clinicopathologic parameters, such as age, tumor size, nodal status, histologic grade, hormone receptor status, and human epidermal growth factor 2 status. Though its prognostic value in breast cancer is limited, immunohistochemical evaluation of IGF-1R by using this monoclonal antibody may be useful in translational research using archived material.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Adenocarcinoma / mortality
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / metabolism*
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1