Gross cystic disease fluid protein‐15 and mammaglobin A expression determined by immunohistochemistry is of limited utility in triple‐negative breast cancer

Aims: In addition to oestrogen and progesterone receptors, gross cystic disease fluid protein‐15 (GCDFP‐15) and mammaglobin A (MAM) are the most common markers used to identify breast origin by immunohistochemistry. GCDFP‐15 expression has been reported in approximately 60% of breast carcinomas and MAM expression in approximately 80%. Data on their expression in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) are very limited. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of these markers in TNBC to determine their utility in pathological diagnosis. Methods and results: We studied the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of GCDFP‐15 and MAM in 63 primary and 118 metastatic TNBCs. GCDFP‐15 staining was present in 14% of primary and 21% of metastatic TNBCs. MAM staining was present in 25% of primary and 41% of metastatic TNBCs. The frequency of expression of GCDFP‐15 and/or MAM was 30% in primary and 43% in metastatic TNBCs, and many positive tumours had only focal staining. Conclusions: Staining for GCDFP‐15 and/or MAM in triple‐negative carcinomas helps to confirm breast origin, but most tumours in this subgroup of breast carcinomas lack expression of either marker.     

The role of PTEN and its signalling pathways, including AKT, in breast cancer; an assessment of relationships with other prognostic factors and with outcome

PTEN is a novel tumour suppressor gene located on chromosome 10. PTEN mutations are believed to exert their effects through the putative PI3K-AKT-mTOR signalling pathway. Specifically, loss of PTEN leads to activation of AKT, which in turn promotes anti-apoptotic and pro-cell cycle entry pathways believed to be essential in tumourigenesis. Whilst PTEN mutations are frequent in a variety of sporadic cancers and inherited cancer syndromes, it is not clear how frequently PTEN mutations and immunohistochemical loss of PTEN expression occur in sporadic breast cancer. This study used tissue microarrays (TMAs) to assess wild-type PTEN and pAKT immunohistochemical staining in 670 and 691 cases, respectively, of primary operable breast cancer. Scores of 0, 1, and 2 were given for negative, weakly positive, and strongly positive degrees of immunoreactivity, respectively. In addition, immunohistochemical assessment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Her2, and proliferation by MIB1 expression was performed on the same TMAs and the scores were compared with those of PTEN and pAKT. Eight per cent of cases did not express wild-type PTEN. No correlation was observed between patient, tumour and outcome variables and PTEN. pAKT expression correlated inversely with adverse tumour variables such as tumour grade (p< 0.001) and correlated positively with ER status (p< 0.001). No correlation was seen between either PTEN or AKT and EGFR, Her2 or MIB1. No association of PTEN or pAKT was seen in Kaplan-Meier or multivariate analysis for overall survival. The results indicate that loss of PTEN expression is infrequent in breast cancer. PTEN and AKT do not appear to be prognostic markers. The study argues against the current model of a simple linear tumourigenic PTEN-PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway in breast cancer. It also suggests that, in this group of breast cancers, the most common upstream regulator of AKT may be ER rather than PTEN, EGFR or Her2.     

Prognostic role of insulin‐like growth factor receptor‐1 expression in small cell lung cancer

Chang MH, Lee J, Han J, Park YH, Ahn JS, Park K, Ahn M‐J. Prognostic role of insulin‐like growth factor receptor‐1 expression in small cell lung cancer. APMIS 2009; 117: 861–9. Insulin‐like growth factor receptor‐1 (IGFR‐1) is a cellular membrane receptor which is overexpressed in many tumors and seems to play a critical role in anti‐apoptosis. The insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) is known as a growth suppressor in multiple signaling pathways. The aim of this study was to determine IGFR‐1 and IGFBP‐3 expression in small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) and analyze the prognostic value in patients with SCLC. We analyzed IGFR‐1 and IGFBP‐3 expression in 194 SCLC tissues by immunohistochemical staining. Correlative analyses between IGFR‐1 and IGFBP‐3 expression in SCLC and clinicopathologic factors were performed. A total of 117 patients had extensive disease (ED) (60.3%) and 77 had limited disease (39.7%). With the median follow‐up duration of 49.5 months (24–82 months), the median progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 7.2 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.4–8.0 months] and 14.4 months (95% CI: 12.7–16 months), respectively. IGFR‐1 expression was observed in 154 of the 190 tumor tissues, whereas there was no IGFBP‐3 expression. Multivariate analysis showed that stage (p < 0.001), response rate (p < 0.001), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (p < 0.001) were the independent prognostic factors for PFS, and age (p = 0.014), LDH level (p < 0.001), and stage (p < 0.001) for OS. The IGFR‐1 positivity was not associated with PFS or OS in the entire cohort. Subgroup analysis revealed that OS was significantly longer in patients with IGFR‐1‐positive tissue than IGFR‐1‐negative tissue in SCLC‐ED (p = 0.034). These results suggest that IGFR‐1 expression may be useful as a prognostic marker in patients with SCLC‐ED.     

Angiopoietin‐2 mediates blood–brain barrier impairment and colonization of triple‐negative breast cancer cells in brain

Although the incidence of breast cancer metastasis (BCM) in brain has increased significantly in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC), the mechanisms remain elusive. Using in vivo mouse models for BCM in brain, we observed that TNBC cells crossed the blood–brain barrier (BBB), lodged in the brain microvasculature and remained adjacent to brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). Breaching of the BBB in vivo by TNBCs resulted in increased BBB permeability and changes in ZO‐1 and claudin‐5 tight junction (TJ) protein structures. Angiopoietin‐2 expression was elevated in BMECs and was correlated with BBB disruption. Secreted Ang‐2 impaired TJ structures and increased BBB permeability. Treatment of mice with the neutralizing Ang‐2 peptibody trebananib prevented changes in the BBB integrity and BMEC destabilization, resulting in inhibition of TNBC colonization in brain. Thus, Ang‐2 is involved in initial steps of brain metastasis cascade, and inhibitors for Ang‐2 may serve as potential therapeutics for brain metastasis. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microglandular adenosis associated with triple‐negative breast cancer is a neoplastic lesion of triple‐negative phenotype harbouring TP53 somatic mutations

Microglandular adenosis (MGA) is a rare proliferative lesion of the breast composed of small glands lacking myoepithelial cells and lined by S100‐positive, oestrogen receptor (ER)‐negative, progesterone receptor (PR)‐negative, and HER2‐negative epithelial cells. There is evidence to suggest that MGA may constitute a non‐obligate precursor of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). We sought to define the genomic landscape of pure MGA and of MGA, atypical MGA (AMGA) and associated TNBCs, and to determine whether synchronous MGA, AMGA, and TNBCs would be clonally related. Two pure MGAs and eight cases of MGA and/or AMGA associated with in situ or invasive TNBC were collected, microdissected, and subjected to massively parallel sequencing targeting all coding regions of 236 genes recurrently mutated in breast cancer or related to DNA repair. Pure MGAs lacked clonal non‐synonymous somatic mutations and displayed limited copy number alterations (CNAs); conversely, all MGAs (n = 7) and AMGAs (n = 3) associated with TNBC harboured at least one somatic non‐synonymous mutation (range 3–14 and 1–10, respectively). In all cases where TNBCs were analyzed, identical TP53 mutations and similar patterns of gene CNAs were found in the MGA and/or AMGA and in the associated TNBC. In the MGA/AMGA associated with TNBC lacking TP53 mutations, somatic mutations affecting PI3K pathway‐related genes (eg PTEN, PIK3CA, and INPP4B) and tyrosine kinase receptor signalling‐related genes (eg ERBB3 and FGFR2) were identified. At diagnosis, MGAs associated with TNBC were found to display subclonal populations, and clonal shifts in the progression from MGA to AMGA and/or to TNBC were observed. Our results demonstrate the heterogeneity of MGAs, and that MGAs associated with TNBC, but not necessarily pure MGAs, are genetically advanced, clonal, and neoplastic lesions harbouring recurrent mutations in TP53 and/or other cancer genes, supporting the notion that a subset of MGAs and AMGAs may constitute non‐obligate precursors of TNBCs. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cytoplasmic expression of high mobility group B1 (HMGB1) is associated with tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in breast cancer

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a prototypic alarmin or damage‐associated molecule inducing inflammatory mediator release and immune response. Several studies have revealed the prognostic and predictive importance of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in breast cancer. The present study analyzed the expression of HMGB1 in each breast cancer subtype and the relationship between the expression level of HMGB1 and pathologic parameters including TILs. Two cohorts were studied: 575 consecutive breast cancer patients who underwent surgery between 1995 and 1998; and 767 triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients who underwent surgery between 2004 and 2010. The immunohistochemical expression level of HMGB1 in cytoplasm and nucleus was evaluated using tissue microarrays. High HMGB1 expression in cytoplasm was associated with high histologic grade, pT stage, and abundant TILs in the consecutive breast cancer cohort. Cytoplasmic HMGB1 expression was higher in TNBCs and HER2‐positive tumors than in hormone receptor‐positive tumors. In the TNBC cohort, high cytoplasmic HMGB1 expression was significantly associated with high histologic grade, abundant TILs, and high numbers of CD8+ cells. However, nuclear HMGB1 expression was not associated with histologic grade or TIL levels. Neither cytoplasmic nor nuclear expression of HMGB1 showed prognostic significance in TNBC. Cytoplasmic HMGB1 expression is associated with TIL levels in breast cancer.     

The repertoire of somatic genetic alterations of acinic cell carcinomas of the breast: an exploratory,hypothesis‐generating study

Acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) of the breast is a rare form of triple‐negative (that is, oestrogen receptor‐negative, progesterone receptor‐negative, HER2‐negative) salivary gland‐type tumour displaying serous acinar differentiation. Despite its triple‐negative phenotype, breast ACCs are reported to have an indolent clinical behaviour. Here, we sought to define whether ACCs have a mutational repertoire distinct from that of other triple‐negative breast cancers (TNBCs). DNA was extracted from microdissected formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded sections of tumour and normal tissue from two pure and six mixed breast ACCs. Each tumour component of the mixed cases was microdissected separately. Tumour and normal samples were subjected to targeted capture massively parallel sequencing targeting all exons of 254 genes, including genes most frequently mutated in breast cancer and related to DNA repair. Selected somatic mutations were validated by targeted amplicon resequencing and Sanger sequencing. Akin to other forms of TNBC, the most frequently mutated gene found in breast ACCs was TP53 (one pure and six mixed cases). Additional somatic mutations affecting breast cancer‐related genes found in ACCs included PIK3CA, MTOR, CTNNB1, BRCA1, ERBB4, ERBB3, INPP4B, and FGFR2. Copy number alteration analysis revealed complex patterns of gains and losses similar to those of common forms of TNBCs. Of the mixed cases analysed, identical somatic mutations were found in the acinic and the high‐grade non‐acinic components in two out of four cases analysed, providing evidence of their clonal relatedness. In conclusion, breast ACCs display the hallmark somatic genetic alterations found in high‐grade forms of TNBC, including complex patterns of gene copy number alterations and recurrent TP53 mutations. Furthermore, we provide circumstantial genetic evidence to suggest that ACCs may constitute the substrate for the development of more aggressive forms of triple‐negative disease. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cytokeratin 7: a re‐evaluation of the ‘tried and true’ in triple‐negative breast cancers

Davion S M, Siziopikou K P & Sullivan M E
(2012) Histopathology  61, 660–666 Cytokeratin 7: a re‐evaluation of the ‘tried and true’ in triple‐negative breast cancers Aims: Triple‐negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are often poorly differentiated tumours that can present clinically as metastases of an unknown primary. Immunohistochemical panels are frequently used to determine the likelihood of a breast primary, but in this tumour subset cytokeratin (CK)7 may be the only positive finding. In this study we aimed to evaluate a commonly employed immunohistochemical panel using a large group of TNBCs (both basal‐like and unclassified), and to analyse the CK7 staining patterns. Methods and results: Tissue microarrays containing 138 TNBCs were stained with antibodies against CK7, CK20, gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 (GCDFP‐15), and mammaglobin. CK5/6 staining was used to identify basal‐like tumours. CK7 staining was notably heterogeneous, with 14.5% of all cases demonstrating ≤20% tumour cell staining. A greater proportion of basal‐like TNBCs than of unclassified TNBCs showed focal staining. GCDFP‐15 and mammaglobin were not expressed in the majority of TNBCs, and were less frequently positive in basal‐like than in unclassified TNBCs. Conclusions: TNBCs are commonly negative for most immunomarkers indicative of breast origin, with the exception of CK7. As about one in five TNBCs showed only focal CK7 positivity, use of this marker must be interpreted with caution, especially in small samples, so that the possibility of a breast primary is not overlooked.     

AKT activation predicts outcome in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen

Oestrogen receptor (ERalpha) expression is a strong predictor of response to endocrine therapy. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal transduction pathway has been implicated in endocrine resistance in vitro. The present study was carried out to test the hypothesis that AKT activation mediates tamoxifen resistance in clinical breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using AKT1-3, pan-AKT, pAKT (Thr-308), pAKT (Ser-473), pER (Ser-167), and pHER2 antibodies was performed on 402 ERalpha-positive breast carcinomas from patients treated with tamoxifen. High pAKT (Ser-473) activity (p = 0.0406) and low AKT2 expression (p = 0.0115) alone, or in combination [high pAKT (Ser-473)/low AKT2; 'high-risk' patient group] (p = 0.0014), predicted decreased overall survival in tamoxifen-treated patients with ERalpha-positive breast cancers. There was no significant association between tumour levels of AKT expression or activity and disease-free survival (DFS); however, the 'high-risk' patient group was significantly more likely to relapse (p = 0.0491). During tamoxifen treatment, neither AKT2 nor pAKT predicted DFS. Finally, activation of AKT, via phosphorylation, was linked to activation of both HER2 and ERalpha in this patient cohort. The data presented here show that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is associated with relapse and death in ERalpha-positive breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen, supporting in vitro evidence that AKT mediates tamoxifen resistance. Patients with a 'high-risk' expression profile were at increased risk of death (hazard ratio 3.22, p = 0.002) relative to 'low-risk' patients, highlighting the potential that tumour profiling, with multiple IHC markers predictive of therapeutic response, may improve patient selection for endocrine therapies, eg tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor-based treatments.     

P‐cadherin functional role is dependent on E‐cadherin cellular context: a proof of concept using the breast cancer model

P‐cadherin overexpression is associated with worse breast cancer survival, being a poor prognostic marker as well as a putative therapeutic target for the aggressive triple‐negative and basal‐like carcinomas (TNBCs). Previously, we have shown that P‐cadherin promotes breast cancer invasion of cells where membrane E‐cadherin was maintained; however, it suppresses invasion in models without endogenous cadherins, like melanomas. Here, we investigated if P‐cadherin expression would interfere with the normal adhesion complex and which were the cellular/molecular consequences, constituting, in this way, a new mechanism by which E‐cadherin invasive‐suppressor function was disrupted. Using breast TNBC models, we demonstrated, for the first time, that P‐cadherin co‐localizes with E‐cadherin, promoting cell invasion due to the disruption caused in the interaction between E‐cadherin and cytoplasmic catenins. P‐cadherin also induces cell migration and survival, modifying the expression profile of cells expressing wild‐type E‐cadherin and contributing to alter their cellular behaviour. Additionally, E‐ and P‐cadherin co‐expressing cells significantly enhanced in vivo tumour growth, compared with cells expressing only E‐ or only P‐cadherin. Finally, we still found that co‐expression of both molecules was significantly correlated with high‐grade breast carcinomas, biologically aggressive, and with poor patient survival, being a strong prognostic factor in this disease. Our results show a role for E‐ and P‐cadherin co‐expression in breast cancer progression and highlight the potential benefit of targeting P‐cadherin in the aggressive tumours expressing high levels of this protein. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Expression of Folate Receptor Alpha in Indian population

Folate Receptor Alpha (FRA) is a membrane protein expressed on the apical surface of epithelial cells. Its expression in increased in certain tumors, where it can serve as a target for therapy. Triple Negative Breast Carcinoma (TNBC) are a heterogeneous group of tumors, with limited therapy options and poor prognosis.We aimed to study the expression of FRA in TNBC. Tissue microarrays were prepared from archived paraffin blocks of 300 TNBC resection specimens. Staining for FRA immunohistochemistry was carried out using the clone 26B3.F2. Clinical and pathologic details of the patients were obtained from the electronic medical records. Chi square test was performed for correlation of clinicopathological features with FRA expression. Kaplan Meir and Cox Regression analysis were carried out to study the Disease Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS).FRA showed positivity in 43% (129/300) of TNBCs in our study. In univariate analysis, TNBC expressing FRA had a significantly better OS compared to FRA negative tumors (p – 0.035). Also, FRA positive tumors showed a trend towards longer DFS, though this was not statistically significant. In multivariate analysis however, FRA expression did not emerge as a significant factor.To conclude, TNBCs in our study showed FRA expression and though this did not emerge as an important prognostic factor, it can represent a therapeutic target for future clinical trials.     

αB-crystallin is a useful marker for triple negative and basal breast cancers

Tsang J Y S, Lai M W H, Wong K H Y, Chan S‐K, Lam C C F, Tsang A K H, Yu A M C, Tan P‐H & Tse G M
(2012) Histopathology  61, 378–386 αB‐crystallin is a useful marker for triple negative and basal breast cancers Aims: Basal‐like breast cancers (BLBCs), a breast cancer subtype with triple‐negative status, pose significant problems in clinical management because of their aggressive behaviour. Recently, an association between αΒ‐crystallin expression and BLBCs has been suggested, and we therefore investigated whether αΒ‐crystallin could be a putative marker allowing BLBCs to be identified more accurately. Methods and results: We evaluated the expression of αB‐crystallin and other biomarkers in 395 cases of breast carcinoma by immunohistochemistry, analysed the correlation of their expression with different breast cancer subtypes, and compared their sensitivity as well as specificity in identifying BLBCs. αΒ‐crystallin expression was found to be correlated positively with basal markers and histological subtypes associated with BLBCs. A significant positive correlation of αΒ‐crystallin expression was also found with triple‐negative breast cancers (TNBC) (C = 0.409, P < 0.001) and BLBCs (C = 0.393, P < 0.001). Comparing αΒ‐crystallin with other basal markers, only αΒ‐crystallin demonstrated both high sensitivity (48.6%) and specificity (93.8%) as a TNBC marker. All other markers showed either a lower sensitivity of <40% or a lower specificity of <90%. αΒ‐crystallin also demonstrated a high specificity (92.9%) and an even higher sensitivity (56.5%) for BLBCs. Conclusions: The findings indicated that αB‐crystallin was a highly sensitive and specific marker for TNBCs and BLBCs.     

The expression of ERCC1, RRM1, and BRCA1 in breast cancer according to the immunohistochemical phenotypes

We studied the expression of BRCA1, ERCC1, and RRM1 which play an important role in DNA repair systems in breast cancer. Immunohistochemical staining for EGFR, BRCA1, ERCC1, and RRM1 were performed by using a tissue microarray made from 230 breast cancer patients. Patients were classified into luminal A, luminal B, HER-2, and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) types according to ER, PR, and HER-2 expression. The expression of ERCC1, RRM1, and BRCA1 were correlated (P < 0.05). The expression level of ERCC1 was the lowest in TNBC type (P = 0.031), ERCC1 negativity was more prominent in TNBC and luminal B groups than luminal A and HER-2 groups (P = 0.013). Cases with EGFR overexpression showed high expression of RRM1 and BRCA1 (P = 0.046, and 0.004, respectively). In conclusion, the expression of ERCC1 is particularly lower in TNBCs than other types of breast cancers.     

Phosphorylated mTOR expression correlates with poor outcome in early-stage triple negative breast carcinomas

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays an important role in cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism. Some studies have associated phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) expression with worse outcome in breast cancers. However, the significance of p-mTOR expression specifically in triple negative breast carcinoma (TNBC) is unknown. In this study, p-mTOR expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 172 TNBCs and the result was correlated with clinicopathologic variables and disease outcome. The majority of tumors (72.1%) were p-mTOR positive; p-mTOR expression did not correlate with age, tumor size, grade, lymph node status, or tumor stage. In patients at stage 1 and 2 disease, those with p-mTOR expression had significantly worse overall as well as recurrence-free survival compared to those without p-mTOR expression. p-mTOR expression appears to be an adverse prognostic indicator in early-stage TNBCs. The assessment of p-mTOR expression in these tumors may also help to stratify patients for future target therapy studies.     

Loss of PTEN in high grade advanced stage triple negative breast ductal cancers in African American women

Introduction

PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene that inhibits cell proliferation by inhibiting the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3?K) signaling pathway. The significance of PTEN mutations resulting in variable PTEN expression and their impact on prognosis of breast cancer is not well established. The objective of our study was to correlate the immunohistochemical expression of PTEN in the four major subtypes of breast carcinoma (Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2 positive, and Triple Negative) in a population of 202 African-American (AA) females with other clinicopathological factors.

Expression of autophagy‐related markers beclin‐1, light chain 3A,light chain 3B and p62 according to the molecular subtype of breast cancer

Aims: To investigate the relationship between the expression of autophagy‐related proteins, including beclin‐1, light chain (LC) 3A, LC3B, and p62, and prognosis in invasive breast cancer. Methods and results: We constructed tissue microarrays from the breast cancer cells of 489 patients, and classified molecular subtypes using surrogate immunohistochemical stains. The tumoral expression levels of LC3A and LC3B were highest in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) (P < 0.001), whereas these types of tumour had the lowest expression levels of these markers in the stroma (P = 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively). Cytoplasmic beclin‐1 expression was highest in TNBC, but nuclear expression was lowest (P < 0.001). p62 cytoplasmic and nuclear expression were highest in HER2‐type tumours (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Tumoral LC3A and LC3B expression were associated with high histological grade (P < 0.001, and P < 0.028, respectively), but nuclear p62 expression was associated with lower histological grade (P = 0.004). Conclusions: Autophagy‐related markers are differentially expressed according to the molecular subtype of breast cancer. In particular, expression of LC3A, LC3B and beclin‐1 was highest in TNBC tumour cells, whereas that of LC3A and LC3B in the tumour stroma was lowest in TNBC.     

miR-342-3p 在乳腺癌中的表达及其与临床病理特征、 远期预后的相关性

目的研究 miR-342-3p 在乳腺癌中表达及其与临床病理特征、 远期预后的相关性。方法选择 2014 年 1 月 ~ 2015 年 2 月期间在南平市第一医院接受乳腺癌根治术的患者作为乳腺癌组, 同期接受手术切 除的乳腺良性肿瘤患者作为对照组, 检测乳腺癌组织及乳腺良性肿瘤组织中 miR-342-3p 的表达水平, 随访 乳腺癌患者的总生存 (OS) 及无病生存 (DFS), 采用 Kaplan-Meier 曲线分析 miR-342-3p 的表达水平与 OS、 DFS 的关系, 采用 COX 比例风险模型分析 OS、 DFS 的影响因素。 在乳腺癌 MCF7 细胞中转染 miR-NC 序列及 miR-342-3p 模拟物, 检测细胞活力水平及 AKT2、 Bcl2L1、 FOXQ1 的表达水平。结果乳腺癌组织 中 miR-342-3p 的表达水平明显低于乳腺良性肿瘤组织 (P< 0. 05), 且不同 T 分期、 淋巴结转移、 分子分 型、 Ki-67 表达的乳腺癌组织间比较, miR-342-3p 表达水平有显著差异 (P< 0. 05)。 Kaplan-Meier 曲线分析 显示, 相比于 miR-342-3p 高表达患者, miR-342-3p 低表达患者的 DFS 和 OS 均缩短。 COX 比例风险模型分 析显示, 淋巴结转移、 Ki-67 表达、 miR-342-3p 表达是乳腺癌患者 DFS 和 OS 的影响因素。 miR-342-3p 高表 达的乳腺癌组织中 AKT2、 Bcl2L1、 FOXQ1 的表达水平低于 miR-342-3p 低表达的乳腺癌组织。 miR-342-3p 组 MCF7 细胞中细胞活力及 AKT2、 Bcl2L1、 FOXQ1 的表达水平均低于 miR-NC 组。结论乳腺癌中 miR-342-5p 低表达且其低表达与病理特征恶化有关, miR-342-5p 低表达是乳腺癌患者预后的影响因素, AKT2、 Bcl2L1、 FOXQ1 可能是 miR-342-5p 参与乳腺癌发展的潜在分子机制。     

Tumour YAP1 and PTEN expression correlates with tumour‐associated myeloid suppressor cell expansion and reduced survival in colorectal cancer

The expansion of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) correlates with tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we found a significant association between CD33⁺ MDSC number and Yes‐associated protein 1 (YAP1) and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) levels in CRC patients (P < 0·05). Moreover, the CD33⁺ MDSCs, YAP1 and PTEN were identified as predictors for the prognosis of CRC patients (P < 0·05). Notably, CD33⁺ MDSCs were an independent survival predictor for CRC patients through a Cox model analysis. In vitro data determined that the expression levels of YAP1 and PTEN in CRC‐derived cell lines were associated with CRC‐derived MDSC induction, and the blockade of YAP1 and PTEN decreased CRC‐derived MDSC induction. A mechanistic analysis revealed that YAP1 promoted CRC‐derived MDSC induction by suppressing PTEN expression to up‐regulate COX‐2, P‐AKT and P‐p65 in CRC‐derived cells, leading to secretion of the cytokine granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. Our findings establish a novel mechanism of pro‐tumorigenic MDSC induction mediated by ectopic YAP1 and PTEN expression in CRC.     

Meta‐analysis reveals no significant correlation between breast cancer survival and ErbB3 expression

Prognostic value of ErbB3 in human breast cancer is still controversial. However, the roles of ErbB3 receptors in drug resistance are recently emerging. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ErbB3 expression and survival of breast cancer via meta‐analysis. A systematic literature search was conducted and 32 potentially relevant studies were included in the meta‐analysis. Outcomes presented in searched literatures can be classified as disease free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and progress free survival (PFS) values. Meta‐analysis was performed for each group. Results showed no statistically significant difference in survival. The overall hazard ratio of PFS, DFS, and OS of ErbB3 expression was 1.40 [95% confidence interval/CI (0.51, 3.83)], 1.07 [95% CI (0.82, 1.40)], and 1.15 [95% CI (0.91, 1.44)], respectively. Subgroup analysis according to ErbB2 receptor status, ErbB3 assessment methods (immunohistochemistry/IHC vs non‐IHC), and analysis type (multivariate and univariate analysis) were performed. No significant association was found. Using various assessment methods and patient populations, our results revealed that there was no significant correlation between ErbB3 expression and breast cancer survival. Further studies on heterodimers of ErbB3 and other molecular markers involved in ErbB3 related pathway are merited.     

Microglandular adenosis: a prime suspect in triple‐negative breast cancer development

Microglandular adenosis (MGA) and atypical MGA (AMGA) are unusual lesions of the breast. They were once regarded as benign proliferative lesions and innocent bystanders. Several lines of evidence suggested that they could be neoplastic, clonal lesions and a non‐obligate precursor for triple‐negative breast cancers (TNBC). Recent work published in The Journal of Pathology by Guerini‐Rocco and colleagues provided further evidence regarding the precursor–product relationship between MGA/AMGA and TNBC. Using a massively parallel sequencing approach, they demonstrated that MGA/AMGA, particularly those associated with TNBC, could be clonal neoplastic lesions showing clonal non‐synonymous mutations, but none in pure MGA. Importantly, those alterations were observed in the associated TNBC. They were also able to identify recurrent alterations in TP53 in those MGA/AMGA cases as well as their associated TNBC. The findings, in conjunction with others, underscore the significance for MGA in clinical diagnosis. The potential of a benign lesion to progress into an aggressive malignant tumour implies that modification of the current management approach may be necessary. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.