Chemokine receptor CXCR4 level in primary tumors independently predicts outcome for patients with locally advanced breast cancer

Background Chemokine receptor CXCR4 is a marker of metastatic disease. We found initially that CXCR4 level is a predictive marker for patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). We now confirm our initial observations. Methods We evaluated 77 LABC patients who had neoadjuvant therapy. Specimens were taken at the time of definitive operation. CXCR4 levels were detected with Western blots. CXCR4 expression >6.6-fold over known concentration of HeLa cells was defined as high. Primary endpoints were cancer recurrence and death. Statistical analyses were Kaplan–Meier curves, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazard model. Results Median follow-up time was 42 months; 55 patients (71%) had low CXCR4 level. The 5-year overall survival for the low and high CXCR4 group was 78% and 50%, respectively ( P = .015). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) for the low and high CXCR4 group was 67% and 41%, respectively ( P = .024). On multivariate analysis, CXCR4 overexpression ( P = .003) and nodal status ( P = .044) were independent predictors of overall survival; CXCR4 overexpression ( P = .003) and nodal status ( P  = .026) were also independent predictors of DFS. Conclusion We confirmed that high CXCR4 levels in cancer specimens after neoadjuvant therapy independently predict a poor outcome for patients with LABC.