Correlation of cytosolic concentrations of ER, PS2, Cath-D, TPS, TK and cAMP in primary breast carcinomas.

In a group of 391 patients with primary breast cancer the cytosolic concentrations of ER, PS2, Cath-D, TPS, TK and cAMP were determined. PS2 production was found to be significantly dependent not only on ER but also on cAMP. A similar dependence on ER and cAMP production was found also in Cath-D. When the production of these prognostic factors was correlated with the occurrence of metastases to axillary lymph nodes, three prognostically unfavorable groups of primary breast carcinomas were revealed. The first group was represented by tumors with negative PS2 values (< or = 2.5 ng/mg) and elevated TPS values (> or = 4.0 kU/mg). The second group comprised prognostically very unfavorable tumors with moderately to highly elevated PS2 values and positive Cath-D values (> or = 35 pmol/mg), or positive TPS values (> or = 8.0 kU/mg). The third group was constituted by tumors with elevated TK (> or = 5.0 U/mg) and ER values (> or = 40 fmol/mg). The possible role of PS2 in the metastasizing of primary breast carcinomas is discussed.