Estrogen receptors in breast cancer--therapeutic response to the treatment of recurrences

Abstract

The authors analyze estrogen receptors in 501 cases of breast cancer and the therapeutic response achieved with treatment of patients who relapsed. The method utilized to determine the presence of estrogen receptor was cytosol protein-counting and Dextran coated charcoal (DCC) saturation analysis. Patients were treated with chemotherapy when the primary tumor was estrogen-receptor negative. If receptor was present, anti-estrogen drug (Tamoxifen) was added. Patients previously treated with the anti-estrogen presented a better response to anti-estrogen therapy and a lower recurrence rate. Recurrences were more frequent in estrogen receptor negative cases and better responses to treatment were found in estrogen receptor positive ones.