Serum endothelial protein-c receptor levels in patients with breast cancer

Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyze the association between soluble endothelial protein C receptor (sEPCR) levels and pathology results in patients with breast mass. Methods: Seventy three patients with breast mass were enrolled. The epidemiologic features and pathology results were recorded. Serum sEPCR levels were analyzed by ELISA. Results: Thirty five patients had breast cancer with sEPCR level of 130.31±89.51 ng/ml and 38 had benign breast lesions with sEPCR level of 116.58±88.68 ng/ml (p>0.05). Upon the patients with breast cancer sEPCR levels were not statistically significant between the early and late stages (134.83±91.89ng/ml and 119.01±86.9 ng/ml, respectively). Also there were no difference in patients with positive and negative Estrogen or progesterone receptors (p>0.05). But sEPCR level was obviously higher in patients with negative HER-2 receptor (149.68±102.43 ng/ml, p=0.029). Conclusions: Although there was no statistically significant difference, the patients with malign breast masses had higher levels of sEPCR. The receptor status was found to influence the serum EPCR levels but broader series of cases are required to understand the clinical importance and to determine its potential effect on targeted treatment plan.