Loss of expression of transforming growth factor beta type II receptor correlates with high tumour grade in human breast in-situ and invasive carcinomas.

Abstract

AIMS:

Loss of transforming growth factor beta type II receptor (TGFbeta-RII) expression has been associated with resistance to TGFbeta-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and tumour progression. We investigated whether the expression of TGFbeta-RII is related to the progression of human breast cancer and whether there is a correlation between TGFbeta-RII expression and phenotypic markers of biological aggressiveness.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect TGFbeta-RII in archival breast samples including benign proliferative lesions, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive mammary carcinomas (IMC). Neoplastic cells showed reduced expression of TGFbeta-RII in comparison to the normal breast tissue and benign lesions. There was a significant inverse correlation between loss of TGFbeta-RII expression and tumour grade within both DCIS (P = 0.004) and IMC (P = 0.001) groups. There was an inverse correlation between TGFbeta-RII expression and both mitotic count (P = 0.001) and clinical stage (P = 0.004). Oestrogen receptor (P = 0.07) and lymph node status (P = 0.10) were not significantly associated with TGFbeta-RII expression.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data indicate that decreased expression of TGFbeta-RII may contribute to breast cancer progression and is related to a more aggressive phenotype in both in-situ and invasive carcinomas.

• Authors: H Gobbi, C L Arteaga, R A Jensen, J F Simpson, W D Dupont, S J Olson, P A Schuyler, W D Plummer Jr, D L Page
• Journal: Histopathology (Histopathology) Vol. 36 Issue 2 Pg. 168-77 (Feb 2000) ISSN: 0309-0167 [Print] England
• PMID: 10672063 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
• Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
• Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Breast (chemistry, pathology)
• Breast Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Carcinoma in Situ (metabolism, pathology)
• Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast (metabolism, pathology)
• Disease Progression
• Female
• Humans
• Hyperplasia
• Immunohistochemistry
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Neoplasm Staging
• Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
• Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II
• Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta (analysis, biosynthesis)