Few studies have compared characteristics between breast cancers in men and women.

To evaluate whether hormone receptor-related gene expression differs between genders, researchers led by Danielle Zakon, MD, and Fraser Symmans, MD, evaluated 321 tumour RNA samples from men with early-stage HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer included in the retrospective cohort study of the EORTC 10085/BCG/TBCRC/BIG/NCTN International Male Breast Cancer Programme.

Using the sensitivity to endocrine therapy (SET2,3) index, developed by Symmans, they found gene expression measurements in male patients with breast cancer did not differ from those of female patients.

SET2,3 was prognostic for overall survival in male breast cancer and suggested that chemotherapy may improve the poor prognosis for men with breast cancer and a low SET2,3 index score.

The poster will be presented on December 7.

Source: University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre