Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Quantification of Breast Cancer Cell Invasiveness Using a Three-dimensional (3D) Model
08:08

Quantification of Breast Cancer Cell Invasiveness Using a Three-dimensional (3D) Model

Published on: June 11, 2014

Expression of Syk in invasive breast cancer: correlation to proliferation and invasiveness

Katerina Repana1, Konstantinos Papazisis, Periklis Foukas

  • 1Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Anticancer Research
|January 12, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) expression is decreased in invasive breast cancer, correlating with higher proliferation and invasive capacity. This suggests Syk may act as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) is emerging as a potential tumor suppressor in breast cancer.
  • Understanding Syk's role is crucial for developing targeted breast cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression levels of Syk in invasive breast cancer specimens.
  • To determine the correlation between Syk expression and key indicators of tumor aggressiveness, such as proliferation and vascular invasion.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was utilized to assess Syk protein expression in patient samples.
  • Proliferative index (Ki67) was used to quantify tumor cell proliferation.

Main Results:

  • Reduced Syk expression was observed in 26% of invasive breast cancer cases.
  • Loss of Syk expression was noted in intravascular emboli, indicating a link to vascular invasion.
  • A statistically significant inverse correlation was found between high proliferation (Ki67) and decreased Syk expression (p <0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Syk protein expression is inversely associated with tumor proliferation and invasive potential in breast cancer.
  • These findings support the hypothesis that Syk functions as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer progression.

More Related Videos

Three-Dimensional (3D) Tumor Spheroid Invasion Assay12:19

Three-Dimensional (3D) Tumor Spheroid Invasion Assay

Published on: May 1, 2015

A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion06:36

A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion

Published on: April 24, 2015

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...