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P7 antigen expression in human breast cancer
Xiaowei Yang1, Susan Groshen, Silvia C Formenti
1Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.
Summary
p7 protein expression is linked to malignant cells in human breast cancer, particularly in recurrent or metastatic cases. Treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy significantly increases p7 expression in advanced breast cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- A novel 7 kDa protein, p7, was initially identified in multidrug-resistant cancer cell lines.
- p7 expression in human breast cancer has not been extensively studied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate p7 protein expression in human breast cancer tissues.
- To determine the effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy on p7 expression.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry and Western immunoblot analyses were employed using a p7-specific monoclonal antibody.
- Archival breast cancer specimens, both pre- and post-treatment, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- p7 was expressed in 32% of primary breast cancers, specifically within malignant cells.
- p7 expression correlated significantly with distant metastasis and/or local recurrence (P=0.027).
- p7 expression markedly increased in locally advanced breast cancer after chemotherapy and radiation therapy (13% pre-treatment vs. 53% post-treatment; P=0.016).
Conclusions:
- p7 expression is associated with the malignant phenotype in breast cancer, especially in advanced or recurrent disease.
- The increase in p7 expression post-neoadjuvant therapy suggests a potential role in treatment response.
- p7 may represent a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.