An Evaluation of DNA Polymerase alpha as a Prognostic Predictor in Early Breast Cancers Smaller than 2 cm.

We examined the relationship between proliferative activity determined by DNA polymerase alpha and clinicopathologic variables in breast cancer patients, and evaluated the usefulness of DNA polymerase alpha as a prognostic predictor in 337 early breast cancers with tumors smaller than 2 cm, which had favorable outcomes. About 60% of tumors had lower proliferative activity. A significant correlationwas found between DNA polymerase alpha and ER, PgR, histological type, or the degree of infiltration into lymphatic vessels which reflect the prognosis. Cancers with higher DNA polymerase alpha activity were associated with shorter disease-free and overall survival times. In a multivariate analysis the DNA polymerase alpha was found to be an independent and significant factor in early breast cancer.