Fas/Fas-ligand expressions in primary breast cancer are significant predictors of its skeletal spread.

BACKGROUND

Bones belong to the most frequent localizations of breast cancer metastases. Several studies on female breast malignancies have indicated that Fas/Fas-ligand status may have a significant impact on survival. Hence, the aim of our study was to determine if these molecules might serve as the predictors of skeletal dissemination in radically-treated breast cancer patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Tumor samples from 147 radically-treated breast cancer patients were studied immunohistochemically for Fas/Fas-ligand expression.

RESULTS

Both Fas and Fas-ligand expression in the primary tumor were considerably less frequent among breast cancer patients with bone metastases compared to women without skeletal spread. Moreover, negative staining for Fas or the lack of Fas-ligand expression proved to be significant predictors for the survival free from bone metastases under univariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the probability of bone metastases may be assessed on the basis of Fas/Fas-ligand expression in primary breast cancer. Consequently, their determination seems crucial for further prognosis and determination of adjuvant treatment.