Plasma total antioxidant status in breast cancer women in relation to lymph node involvement and HER-2/neu expression

SummaryBackgroundOxidants can act at several stages of malignant transformation. To protect against toxic effects of oxidants and to modulate physiological effects of their action organisms have developed antioxidant defence systems. Plasma total antioxidant activity (TAS) measures peroxyl-scavenging capacity of the extracellular antioxidant system.AimThe goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the plasma total antioxidant status in breast cancer women in relation to lymph node metastases and HER-2/neu expression.Materials/MethodsNewly diagnosed consecutive breast cancer patients (n=26) were recruited before any treatment and matched with controls (n=24) randomly selected from benign breast disease patients. Cancer progress was established according to lymph node involvement: No or N+. HER-2/neu was considered as either negative (0 or 1+) or positive (2+ or 3+). The plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) was measured by colorimetric test (RANDOX). HER-2/neu oncogene expression was determined in breast cancer tissue using the immunohistochemical method (Hercep Test).ResultsThe study demonstrated a significant decrease in the mean TAS level (mmol/L) in the breast cancer group (1.42±0.22) in comparison to the control group (1.56±0.18; P