Estrogen Receptors and Response of Breast Cancer to Chemotherapy

Abstract

To the Editor: Lippman et al., in the June 1 issue of the Journal, reported that women with estrogen-receptor-negative lesions have an enhanced response to combination chemotherapy. This does not appear to be a universal phenomenon. We have analyzed our results in patients who have had combination chemotherapy for recurrent breast cancer. Twelve of 20 women (60 per cent) with lesions positive for estrogen receptor responded, as compared to only 17 of 45 women (38 per cent) with negative lesions. Although this difference is not statistically significant, we cannot confirm that estrogen-receptor-negative lesions have an enhanced response rate.