Prognostic and predictive value of p-Akt, EGFR, and p-mTOR in early breast cancer

Background and purpose There are scarce data available on the prognostic/predictive value of p-Akt and p-mTOR protein expression in patients with high-risk early breast cancer. Patients and methods Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue samples from 997 patients participating in two adjuvant phase III trials were assessed for EGFR, PTEN, p-Akt, p-mTOR protein expression, and PIK3CA mutational status. These markers were evaluated for associations with each other and with selected patient and tumor characteristics, immunohistochemical subtypes, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Results p-mTOR protein expression was negatively associated with EGFR and positively associated with PTEN, with p-Akt473, and with the presence of PIK3CA mutations. EGFR expression was positively associated with p-Akt473, p-Akt308, and PIK3CA wild-type tumors. Finally, p-Akt308 was positively associated with p-Akt473 expression. In univariate analysis, EGFR ( p = 0.016) and the coexpression of EGFR and p-mTOR ( p = 0.015) were associated with poor OS. Among patients with p-Akt308-negative or low-expressing tumors, those treated with hormonal therapy were associated with decreased risk for both relapse and death ( p = 0.013 and p < 0.001, respectively). In the subgroup of patients with locoregional relapse, positive EGFR and mTOR protein expression was found to be associated with increased ( p = 0.034) and decreased ( p < 0.001) risk for earlier relapse, respectively. In multivariate analysis, low levels of p-Akt308 and the coexpression of EGFR and p-mTOR retained their prognostic value. Conclusion Low protein expression of p-Akt308 was associated with improved DFS and OS among patients treated with hormonal therapy following adjuvant chemotherapy. Coexpression of EGFR and p-mTOR was associated with worse OS.