Experimental, Clinical and Morphological Analysis of H-Ras Oncoproteins for Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND: Activated forms of Ras are enhanced in both breast cancer as well as the cell lines with EGFR and HER2 expression. Therefore, H-Ras could be activated in breast tumours in the absence of direct mutational activation of Ras itself and could contribute to 20-50% of the cases. Expression inhibition, signal transduction interruption from H-Ras to the nucleus could become a promising therapeutic target. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and morphological criteria of locally advanced breast cancer and the expression of H-Ras oncoprotein in patients who have been subjected to different regimens of farnesyltransferase inhibitor. METHODS: H-Ras status was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: An association between the expressions of H-Ras and Her2/neu (p = 0.001) as well as the tumour proliferation index Ki-67 (p = 0.001) in patients with breast cancer was established. Analysis of the relationship between H-Ras expression showed a relatively strong association with progression-free survival both before the treatment (V = 0.47; p = 0.001) and after the treatment (V = 0.45; p = 0.001). These results may indicate the clinical applicability of H-Ras as a prognostic factor or serve as a therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment. CONCLUSION: These results could indicate the potential clinical application of H-Ras as a prognostic factor or a therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.