Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Published on: March 14, 2019
Simultaneous evaluation of maspin and CXCR4 in patients with breast cancer
Efthimia Tsoli1, Petros K Tsantoulis, Alexandros Papalambros
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Aim:
To study simultaneously the actions of maspin and CXCR4, which share several similar pathways in cancer, including apoptosis and angiogenesis.
Methods:
Our material consisted of 151 invasive breast carcinomas arranged in a tissue microarray setting. Maspin and CXCR4 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Microvessel density was assessed by CD34 immunodetection and apoptosis by the Tdt-mediated dUTP nick end labelling assay.
Results:
Maspin expression was related to CXCR4 expression, apoptosis, patient age and the Nottingham prognostic index. The expression of both maspin and CXCR4 progressively increased in high-grade tumours. In patients with lymph node negative breast cancer, maspin overexpression was associated with increased risk of death. High CXCR4 expression was associated with prolonged survival of patients with high maspin expression.
Conclusions:
Our results show that maspin overexpression could prove to be a potentially useful marker, especially for the clinically important group of patients with lymph node negative breast cancer. The expression of CXCR4 is of less significance in our study, but may be informative for specific patient subsets or in a longer time frame.
Insights
Maspin overexpression in breast cancer may indicate a higher risk of death, particularly in lymph node-negative patients. However, high CXCR4 expression alongside maspin may predict better survival outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Maspin and CXCR4 are implicated in cancer pathways like apoptosis and angiogenesis.
- Understanding their interplay is crucial for breast cancer prognostication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined actions of maspin and CXCR4 in invasive breast carcinomas.
- To correlate their expression with clinicopathological features and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized immunohistochemistry to assess maspin and CXCR4 expression in 151 invasive breast carcinomas.
- Quantified microvessel density (CD34) and apoptosis (TUNEL assay).
Main Results:
- Maspin expression correlated with CXCR4, apoptosis, age, and Nottingham prognostic index.
- Both maspin and CXCR4 expression increased in high-grade tumors.
- Maspin overexpression was linked to increased mortality risk in lymph node-negative patients.
- High CXCR4 expression, combined with high maspin, was associated with prolonged survival.
Conclusions:
- Maspin overexpression shows potential as a prognostic marker, especially for lymph node-negative breast cancer patients.
- CXCR4 expression's significance may be more apparent in specific patient subsets or over extended periods.
