High expression of steroid sulfatase mRNA predicts poor prognosis in patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Abstract

The sulfatase mRNA levels can serve as a significant, independent prognostic factor only in ER-positive tumors. It is speculated that the up-regulation of sulfatase mRNA levels leads to a high intratumoral estrogen concentration and, thus, an enhanced stimulation of tumor growth through ERs.