p34cdc2 in invasive breast cancer:: relationship to DNA content, Ki67 index and c-erbB-2 expression

Aims: One-hundred and eighty-eight cases of human mammary carcinoma were examined immunohistochemically for their expression of Ki67, p34(cdc2) and c-erbB-2. DNA image cytometry was performed to evaluate DNA ploidy, Auer type, S-phase fraction (SPF), 5c exceeding rate (5cER) and 2c deviation index (2cDI). Methods and results: One-hundred and sixty-eight cases were invasive ductal carcinomas, 20 were of invasive lobular type. Routinely assessed oestrogen and progesterone receptor scores were available, The results were analysed statistically in comparison to tumour type, histopathological grade, lymph node status, menopausal status, patient age and overall survival. Ki67 (P<0.002) and c-erbB-2 (P<0.0001) correlated well with overall survival (P<0.0008) and grade (P<0.038) but not: with lymph node status and tumour type. p34cdc2 showed a trend towards a positive correlation with Ki67 (P<0.058) and a significant negative correlation with receptor status (P<0.008) but with none of the other parameters examined. Conclusions: No association between the DNA measured parameters (Auer type, SPF, 5cER and 2cDI) and survival was found. Our results suggest that c-erbB-2 and Ki67 are parameters which might, in combination with receptor status, help to define subgroups with different outcomes.