Prognostic Significance of Interactions Between ER Alpha and ER Beta and Lymph Node Status in Breast Cancer Cases

Objective: Both estrogen receptors, ER alpha (ERα) and ER beta (ERβ), are expressed in 50-70% ofbreast cancer cases. The role of ERα as a prognostic marker in breast cancer has been well established as itsexpression is negative correlated with tumor size and lymph node metastasis. ERβ is also a favorable prognosticpredictor although this is less well documented than for ERα. Materials and
Methods: To explore whether ERsindependently or together might influence clinical outcome in breast cancer, the correlation between the ERs withthe clinicopathological features was analyzed in 84 patients.
Results: ERα expression negatively correlated withtumor stage (r=-0.246, p=0.028) and tended to be negatively correlated with lymph node status (r=-0.156, p=0.168)and tumor size (r=-0.246, p=0.099). Also, ERβ was negatively correlated with nodal status (r=-0.243, p=0.028),as was coexpression of ERα and ERβ (p=0.043, OR=0.194, 95% CI= 0.040- 0.953).
Conclusion: Coexpression ofERs might serve as an indicator of good prognosis in breast cancer patients.