Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Performing Data Mining And Integrative Analysis Of Biomarker in Breast Cancer Using Multiple Publicly Accessible Databases
Published on: May 17, 2019
REG1A expression is an independent factor predictive of poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer
Yasuhiro Sasaki1, Yoshihiro Minamiya, Naoko Takahashi
1Department of Surgery, Akita University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita City, 010-8543, Japan.
Background:
Regenerating gene I alpha (REG1A) is a growth factor known to affect pancreatic islet beta cells. Although REG1A expression has also been observed in various malignant tumors, the correlation between REG1A expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer and patient prognosis has not been evaluated.
Methods:
Resected breast cancer tissues obtained at surgery from 150 breast cancer patients was stained with anti-REG1A antibody, after which the relative area occupied by stained tumor cells was evaluated under a light microscope and correlated with known clinicopathological factors.
Results:
Whereas tumor cells were frequently stained with anti-REG1A antibody, cells from normal breast tissue were not stained. REG1A expression in tumors of breast cancer patients with HER2-positive disease was higher than those with HER2-negative disease (P = .0009). The 10-year disease-specific survival rate among patients with lower levels of REG1A was significantly better than among those with higher levels (P = .0002 by log rank test). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses revealed REG1A (hazard ratio, 2.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.93 to 11.29; P = .0005) and axillary lymph node status (hazard ratio, 4.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.52 to 11.29; P = .0003) to be independent factors affecting the 10-year disease-specific survival rate.
Conclusion:
High levels of REG1A expression within tumors are an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer.
Related Concept Videos
The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Tumor Progression
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 Progression
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...
Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...