Anti-p53 and c-erbB2 as prognostic markers in South African breast cancer patients

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.