Acute phase proteins in patients with large and locally advanced breast cancer treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy: response and survival.
- Authors:
- Published online on: September 1, 1998 https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.13.3.589
- Pages: 589-683
Metrics: Total
Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Abstract
Seventy-seven patients with locally advanced breast cancer were treated with multimodality therapy comprising of six pulses of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone) at 21-day intervals, followed by surgery (breast conservation or mastectomy) with appropriate axillary surgery, radiotherapy and adjuvant tamoxifen. The serum concentrations of acute phase proteins, C-reactive protein (CRP), á-1-anti-trypsin, albumin and transferrin were measured in serum taken prior to commencement of treatment. Patients were followed up for a median of 31 months and their clinical and histological responses and overall survival recorded. Univariate analyses revealed that tumour stage (p=0.01), clinical lymph node status (p=0. 02) and pre-treatment levels of serum albumin (p=0.002) and á-1-anti-trypsin (p=0.06) predicted overall survival. Using the Cox proportional hazards model reduced pre-treatment levels of serum albumin (p<0.00001), progressive lymph node involvement with tumour (p<0.005), and advancing tumour stage (p<0.01) were independent prognostic indicators for a poorer survival in patients with locally advanced breast cancer receiving neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.