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Polo-like kinase isoforms in breast cancer: expression patterns and prognostic implications
Wilko Weichert1, Glen Kristiansen, Klaus-Jürgen Winzer
1Institute of Pathology, Charité University Hospital, Schumannstrasse 20/21, 10117, Berlin, Germany. wilko.weichert@charite.de
Virchows Archiv : an International Journal of Pathology
|March 24, 2005
Summary
Polo-like kinase 3 (PLK3) overexpression in breast cancer correlates with poor prognosis and reduced survival. PLK3 may serve as a novel prognostic marker for breast cancer patients, suggesting therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Polo-like kinase (PLK) family members regulate cell division and cytoskeleton dynamics.
- Dysregulation of PLKs is implicated in cancer development and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of PLK1 and PLK3 in breast carcinomas.
- To correlate PLK expression with clinicopathological features and patient survival.
- To evaluate PLK3 as a potential prognostic marker in breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of PLK1 and PLK3 expression in 135 breast carcinoma specimens.
- Correlation of PLK expression with tumor grade, vascular invasion, erbB2/HER-2 status, proliferation markers, and estrogen receptor status.
- Multivariate survival analysis to determine the independent prognostic value of PLK3.
Main Results:
- Overexpression of PLK1 (42.2%) and PLK3 (47.4%) was observed in breast carcinomas compared to normal tissue.
- PLK isoform expression positively correlated with tumor grade, vascular invasion, erbB2/HER-2 expression, and proliferation.
- PLK3 overexpression, but not PLK1, was significantly associated with reduced overall and relapse-free survival.
- PLK3 expression was identified as an independent prognostic factor for patient survival.
Conclusions:
- PLK3 is a novel, independent prognostic marker for breast cancer.
- Overexpression of PLK isoforms may contribute to breast cancer progression.
- Targeting PLK family members could be a promising therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.