Progesterone receptor expression and its prognostic role in hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer: a retrospective cohort study
10.4174/astr.2026.110.2.112
- Author:
Ji Hye KIM
1
;
Yeryung KIM
;
Jai Hyun CHUNG
;
Yong Yeup KIM
;
Woo Young KIM
;
Jae Bok LEE
;
Sang Uk WOO
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research
2026;110(2):112-118
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:While progesterone receptor (PR) negativity in luminal-type breast cancer is generally associated with worse oncologic outcomes, its prognostic role in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of PR expression in ER-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer.
Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with ER-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer who underwent primary surgery at Korea University Guro Hospital between January 2009 and December 2019. Patients were grouped by PR expression as negative/low (Allred score, 0–6) or strongly positive (Allred score,7 or 8). Prognostic outcomes, including disease-free survival (DFS), distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS), and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were analyzed.
Results:A total of 223 patients were included. Patients in the negative/low PR group were older compared to the strongly positive PR group. The negative/low PR group showed significantly worse DFS (P = 0.005) and DRFS (P = 0.014) but showed no significant difference in BCSS (P = 0.153). On multivariate analysis, negative or low PR expressions were linked to inferior DFS (hazard ratio [HR], 3.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34–7.16; P = 0.008) and DRFS (HR, 9.55; 95% CI, 1.22– 74.77; P = 0.032).
Conclusion:In ER-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer, negative or weak PR expression was associated with inferior DFS and DRFS compared to strong PR expression. These findings highlight the potential prognostic value of PR status in this group, underscoring its relevance in guiding treatment and follow-up strategies for more individualized patient care.
