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Race and triple negative threats to breast cancer survival: a population-based study in Atlanta, GA

  • Epidemiology
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Abstract

Background Breast cancers with a triple negative tumor (TNT) subtype (as defined by lacking protein expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)) preclude the use of available targeted therapies and may contribute to poor outcome and to the historically poorest survival observed among African–American (AA) women. This study examines association of the ER/PR/HER2 subtypes with race and breast cancer survival. Methods Breast tumors from a population-based cohort of 116 AA and 360 white Atlanta women aged 20–54, diagnosed from 1990 to 1992 were centrally reviewed and tested by immunohistochemistry. Multivariate survival analyses within subtypes (TNT, ER−PR−HER2+, ER+/PR+HER2+, ER+/PR+HER2−) were conducted using weighted Cox regression and included socio-demographic, prognostic, and treatment factors. Results TNTs were more prevalent among young women and particularly among AA women (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.9, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.2–2.9), adjusting for age, stage, grade, and poverty index. Overall mortality was higher for AA women (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.9, 95% CI, 1.5–2.5) and differed by subtypes (P < 0.001). Within the TNT subtype, racial differences in survival persisted, after additional adjustment for treatment and comorbidities (HR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.0–3.7). TNTs were uniquely associated with high expression of p16, p53, and Cyclin E; and low Bcl-2 and Cyclin D1 expression. Conclusions The high prevalence of TNTs among younger women and particularly younger AA women, along with unique protein expression patterns and poorer survival, suggests varying gene–environment etiologies with respect to age and race/ethnicity and a need for effective therapies.

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Acknowledgements

Supported in part by awards RO1CA64292 (R.J.C., E.W.F., J.W.E., M.J.L.), RO1CA71735 (P.L.P.), the Avon Foundation (M.J.L., P.L.P.), the Glenn Foundation (M.J.L.), the Sindab Endowment (M.J.L., R.M.O.) and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science & Education Research Participation Program/CDC (M.J.L., K.F.T). The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Mary Jo Lund & Otis W. Brawley

  2. Hematology and Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Mary Jo Lund, Brian Leyland-Jones, Otis W. Brawley, Ruth M. O’Regan & J. William Eley

  3. Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Mary Jo Lund, Brian Leyland-Jones, Otis W. Brawley, Ruth M. O’Regan, Sheryl G. A. Gabram & J. William Eley

  4. Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Mary Jo Lund, Otis W. Brawley & Sheryl G. A. Gabram

  5. Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Katrina F. Trivers & Ralph J. Coates

  6. Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA

    Peggy L. Porter

  7. Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Elaine W. Flagg

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  1. Mary Jo Lund
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Correspondence to Mary Jo Lund.

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This manuscript represents original work and has not been previously published in this form. This work was presented in part at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meetings, April 2006, Washington DC, April 2007, Los Angeles, CA.

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Lund, M.J., Trivers, K.F., Porter, P.L. et al. Race and triple negative threats to breast cancer survival: a population-based study in Atlanta, GA. Breast Cancer Res Treat 113, 357–370 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-008-9926-3

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