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Anti-p53 and c-erbB2 as prognostic markers in South African breast cancer patients
Author(s)
Winchester, Carolyn Margaret
Date Issued
2000
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Technikon
Abstract
The diagnosis of breast cancer is not possible using currently available serological
detection of cancer markers as these lack adequate sensitivity or specificity. This study
investigates the prevalence and significance of anti-p53 antibody and c-erbB-2 protein in
the post-surgical sera of South African breast cancer patients and correlates these
features with the clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer. Further, this study
investigates the possibilityofimproving prognostic sensitivityby combining the two subject
markers to monitor each patient. Further, this study will provide the opportunity to
investigate lNhether only certain types of breast cancer can elicit an immunological
response and at what stage and grade of tumour antibodies are present in the postoperative
serum. The study also establishes a foundation for determining in South Africa
lNhether there is a genetic influence in the response to p53 mutation and INhther this
response is higher in the indigenous African women compared to other South African
women. The purpose of the study is to determine if the resulting findings can be used to
enhance our ability to diagnose breast cancer and to identify node-negative breast cancer
patients at high risk for early disease recurrence and or death, for 1Nh0m adjuvant therapy
is unequivocally justified.
The study accrued 92 South African breast cancer patients who were essentially women
of colour 62 [67%] indigenous African women and 20 [22%] Caucasian of Indian descent,
6 [6%J of mixed [ColouredJ background and only 4 [4%J Caucasian of White descent. A
predominantly indigenous African populationwas chosen becausethey are the group most
likely to benefitfrom an easily repeatable, affordable serological cancer marker.
detection of cancer markers as these lack adequate sensitivity or specificity. This study
investigates the prevalence and significance of anti-p53 antibody and c-erbB-2 protein in
the post-surgical sera of South African breast cancer patients and correlates these
features with the clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer. Further, this study
investigates the possibilityofimproving prognostic sensitivityby combining the two subject
markers to monitor each patient. Further, this study will provide the opportunity to
investigate lNhether only certain types of breast cancer can elicit an immunological
response and at what stage and grade of tumour antibodies are present in the postoperative
serum. The study also establishes a foundation for determining in South Africa
lNhether there is a genetic influence in the response to p53 mutation and INhther this
response is higher in the indigenous African women compared to other South African
women. The purpose of the study is to determine if the resulting findings can be used to
enhance our ability to diagnose breast cancer and to identify node-negative breast cancer
patients at high risk for early disease recurrence and or death, for 1Nh0m adjuvant therapy
is unequivocally justified.
The study accrued 92 South African breast cancer patients who were essentially women
of colour 62 [67%] indigenous African women and 20 [22%] Caucasian of Indian descent,
6 [6%J of mixed [ColouredJ background and only 4 [4%J Caucasian of White descent. A
predominantly indigenous African populationwas chosen becausethey are the group most
likely to benefitfrom an easily repeatable, affordable serological cancer marker.
Additional information
Thesis (DTech(Biomedical Technology)--Cape Technikon, Cape Town, 2000
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