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    Hum Pathol. 2008 Dec;39(12):1809-15. Epub 2008 Aug 19.

    Bone metastasis is strongly associated with estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-negative breast carcinomas.

    Wei B, Wang J, Bourne P, Yang Q, Hicks D, Bu H, Tang P.

    West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China.

    Bone is one of the most common sites of distant metastasis for breast carcinomas. In this study, our objective is to identify molecular markers and molecular subtypes that may predict patients at higher risk of developing bone metastasis. Immunohistochemical analysis with antibodies against estrogen receptor alpha, progesterone receptor, androgen receptor, Her2/neu, epidermal growth factor receptor, CK5/6, CK14, CK17, CK8, and CK18 was performed on representative sections of 21 breast carcinomas with bone metastasis and 94 cases without bone metastasis. The expression rates of receptors, subtype distributions (basal versus nonbasal) of 3 molecular classifications (cytokeratin, triple negative, and cytokeratin/triple negative), and 5 subtypes of cytokeratin/triple negative classification were compared between these 2 groups. We found that (1) the breast cancers with bone metastasis were associated with a significant percentage of estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-negative tumors compared with tumors without bone metastasis (38% versus 6%, P < .0001). (2) There was significant difference on estrogen receptor expression between high grade and non-high grade in tumors with or without bone metastasis (P = .0084 and 1.0000, respectively). (3) The breast cancers with bone metastasis were more likely to be estrogen receptor positive (85%) and androgen receptor positive (95%) compared with those without bone metastasis (59% and 74%, respectively, both P < .05). (4) There was no significant difference between tumors with or without bone metastasis in subtype distribution (basal versus nonbasal) among all 3 molecular classifications. (5) Luminal B carcinomas of cytokeratin/triple negative classification tended to be associated with bone metastasis but not to a statistically significant extent. In conclusion, bone metastasis is strongly associated with estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-negative tumors. Significant difference in estrogen receptor expression between high-grade and non-high-grade tumors with bone metastasis suggests that different panels of molecular markers should be used to predict bone metastasis in these 2 groups of tumors.

    PMID: 18715613 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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    Patient drug information

    • Estrogen (Cenestin®, Enjuvia®, Estrace®, ...)

      Estrogen is used to treat hot flushes ('hot flashes'; sudden strong feelings of heat and sweating) in women who are experiencing menopause ('change of life', the end of monthly menstrual periods). Some brands of estrogen...

    • Progesterone (Prometrium®)

      Progesterone is used as a part of hormone replacement therapy in women who have passed menopause (the change of life) and have not had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus). Hormone replacement therapy usually in...