Predictive value of tumor Ki-67 expression in two randomized trials of adjuvant chemoendocrine therapy for node-negative breast cancer

J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008 Feb 6;100(3):207-12. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djm289. Epub 2008 Jan 29.

Abstract

Several small studies have reported that having a high percentage of breast tumor cells that express the proliferation antigen Ki-67 (ie, a high Ki-67 labeling index) predicts better response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However, the predictive value of a high Ki-67 labeling index for response to adjuvant chemotherapy is unclear. To investigate whether Ki-67 labeling index predicts response to adjuvant chemoendocrine therapy, we assessed Ki-67 expression in tumor tissue from 1924 (70%) of 2732 patients who were enrolled in two randomized International Breast Cancer Study Group trials of adjuvant chemoendocrine therapy vs endocrine therapy alone for node-negative breast cancer. A high Ki-67 labeling index was associated with other factors that predict poor prognosis. Among the 1521 patients with endocrine-responsive tumors, a high Ki-67 labeling index was associated with worse disease-free survival but the Ki-67 labeling index did not predict the relative efficacy of chemoendocrine therapy compared with endocrine therapy alone. Thus, Ki-67 labeling index was an independent prognostic factor but was not predictive of better response to adjuvant chemotherapy in these studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Ki-67 Antigen / analysis*
  • Logistic Models
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tamoxifen / administration & dosage
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Tamoxifen
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Fluorouracil
  • Methotrexate

Supplementary concepts

  • CMF regimen