Urokinase-plasminogen activator, a new and independent prognostic marker in breast cancer.

Abstract

Urokinase plasminogen activator (UK-PA) is a serine protease implicated in cancer invasion and metastasis. In this investigation, patients with breast cancers containing high levels of UK-PA antigen had significantly higher risk of early disease recurrence and shorter overall survival than did patients with low levels of the protein. In univariate analysis, UK-PA was a more powerful discriminator for disease-free interval than axillary node status, tumor size, or estradiol receptor. For overall survival, UK-PA as a prognostic marker, was of similar magnitude to axillary node status but stronger than that of tumor size or estradiol receptor. In multivariate analysis, for both disease-free interval and survival, UK-PA was an independent risk factor, being independent of tumor size, axillary node status, and estradiol receptor. UK-PA appears to be a new and independent prognostic marker in breast cancer.

• Authors: M J Duffy, D Reilly, C O'Sullivan, N O'Higgins, J J Fennelly, P Andreasen
• Journal: Cancer research (Cancer Res) Vol. 50 Issue 21 Pg. 6827-9 (Nov 01 1990) ISSN: 0008-5472 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2119883 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Neoplasm
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Fibrinolytic Agents
• Plasminogen Activators
• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Topics

• Antigens, Neoplasm (immunology)
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Breast Neoplasms (metabolism, mortality)
• Female
• Fibrinolytic Agents (metabolism)
• Humans
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (metabolism)
• Plasminogen Activators (metabolism)
• Prognosis
• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator (metabolism)