The prognostic significance of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

This study investigates the influence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition on prognosis in breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Eighty breast carcinomas as well as 6 breast cancer cell lines were analysed immunohistochemically for the expression of epithelial keratins (K) K8, K19 and mesenchymal vimentin. Protein expression was correlated with histopathological factors and clinical follow-up.

RESULTS:

Suppression of K8 and K19 occurred in the majority of the tumours (72.5% and 65%), while aberrant expression of vimentin was found in 21.2% of the tumours. Suppression of K8 as well as expression of vimentin was significantly correlated with short survival (p < 0.004 and p < 0.006). Moreover HER2 overexpression significantly correlated with K19 (p < 0.0004) and vimentin (p < 0.0005). In cell lines with increasing invasive potential, epithelial keratins were lost in favour of mesenchymal vimentin.

CONCLUSION:

The transition from epithelial keratin to mesenchymal vimentin expression marks an important step in the malignant progression of breast cancer.

• Authors: Ilka B Fuchs, Werner Lichtenegger, Helmut Buehler, Wolfgang Henrich, Harald Stein, Anke Kleine-Tebbe, Gerhard Schaller
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) 2002 Nov-Dec Vol. 22 Issue 6A Pg. 3415-9 ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 12530097 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• KRT8 protein, human
• Keratin-8
• Receptors, Estrogen
• Vimentin
• Keratins
• Receptor, ErbB-2

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Breast Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast (metabolism, pathology)
• Epithelial Cells (metabolism, pathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Keratin-8
• Keratins (biosynthesis)
• Mesoderm (metabolism, pathology)
• Middle Aged
• Prognosis
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (biosynthesis)
• Receptors, Estrogen (biosynthesis)
• Survival Rate
• Tumor Cells, Cultured
• Vimentin (biosynthesis)