Prognostic role of s‑phase kinase‑associated protein 2 in breast cancer: A meta‑analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence has shown that the F‑box protein S‑phase kinase‑associated protein 2 (Skp2) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer (BC). Our study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of Skp2 in BC patients using meta‑analysis based on the published studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible studies were identified by searching the online databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science up to October 2015. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to clarify the correlation between Skp2 expression and indicators of BC clinical outcomes, including overall survival (OS), disease‑free survival (DFS), and BC‑specific survival. RESULTS: In total, nine studies with 1820 BC patients were included for final analysis. The meta‑analysis suggested that Skp2 overexpression was associated with poor OS (HR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.83–3.63, P = 0.000) and poor DFS (HR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.48–3.05, P = 0.000) in BC patients. CONCLUSIONS: This meta‑analysis indicates that enhanced Skp2 is an independent prognostic factor for poor cancer survival.

Test characteristics of core needle biopsy of palpable breast masses: A review of Philippine General Hospital out-patient cases from 1999 to 2001

Core needle biopsy (CNB) has been used increasingly as a diagnostic tool in evaluating mammary lesions. To determine the test characteristics of CNB, histopathologic review of palpable breast masses in 81 female patients (mean age: 48 years, range 17-71 years) obtained by non-imaging-guided CNB at the Philippine General Hospital Out-Patient Department from January 1999 to March 2001 was compared with the reviewed results of the subsequent excision (excision biopsy, simple mastectomy and modified radical mastectomy) as the reference standard. Of the 81 cases, 62 (77 percent) were histologically confirmed as malignant and 19 (23 percent) were benign. Of the 81 CNBs, 22 (27 percent) were unsatisfactory biopsies. Evaluation of CNB test characteristics was based on the rest of the 59 "satisfactory" CNBs. Test characteristics were: Sensitivity=82.2 percent, Specificity=92.2 percent, Accuracy=84.7 percent, Positive Predictive Value=97.4 percent, Negative Predictive Value=61.9 percent. The test characteristics were lower compared to previously reported values which were however largely based on image-guided CNBs. Specimen adequacy, operator differences in skills and expertise, and histopathologic interpretation error may account for the difference. (Author)