Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
Endogenous NIS expression in triple-negative breast cancers
Corinne Renier1, Chen Yao, Michael Goris
1Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
Background:
The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) mediates iodide transport into cells and has been identified in approximately 70% of breast cancers. Functional NIS expression raises the possibility of using (131)I for therapeutic targeting of tumor cells. Treatment of triple-negative breast cancers [estrogen/progesterone receptor-negative and HER2-negative (ER-/PR-/HER2-)] is primarily limited to chemotherapy. Our aim was to characterize NIS expression in this subset of tumors.
Methods:
Archival tissue sections from 23 women with triple-negative breast cancer were analyzed for NIS expression using immunohistochemical methods and an anti-human NIS antibody. Tumors were evaluated for the presence of plasma membrane immunoreactivity. One patient with a NIS-expressing positive tumor underwent (123)I scintigraphic imaging with dosimetric analysis.
Results:
Fifteen cases (65.2%) demonstrated NIS-positivity with 11 tumors (47.8%) exhibiting strong expression. Plasma membrane immunoreactivity was observed in four breast cancers and was equivocal in another four tumors. Tumor-specific radioiodide uptake was demonstrated by (123)I scintigraphy in a patient with a large primary breast cancer unresponsive to neoadjuvant therapy. The tumor concentrated 2.05, 1.53, and 1.96 times more isotope than normal breast tissue at 1, 5, and 21 h. The relative increased uptake is consistent with positive NIS expression in the tumor on definitive surgery; however, the cumulative concentration in the tumor was not sufficient to achieve a therapeutic effect, had the isotope been (131)I.
Conclusions:
NIS is strongly expressed in a significant proportion of triple-negative breast cancer cells, suggesting a potential role for NIS-directed (131)I-radioablative strategies in this patient population.
Insights
Sodium iodide symporter (NIS) is highly expressed in many triple-negative breast cancers. This finding suggests that NIS-directed radioiodine therapy may be a potential treatment strategy for these tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Radiopharmaceuticals
Background:
- The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) facilitates iodide uptake in cells and is present in about 70% of breast cancers.
- Functional NIS expression offers a potential route for therapeutic targeting of tumor cells using radioactive iodine (131I).
- Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) currently have limited treatment options, primarily relying on chemotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize the expression of NIS in triple-negative breast cancers.
- To assess the potential of NIS as a therapeutic target in this specific breast cancer subtype.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of NIS expression in archival tissue samples from 23 triple-negative breast cancer patients.
- Evaluation of plasma membrane immunoreactivity for NIS.
- Scintigraphic imaging with 123I and dosimetric analysis in one patient with a NIS-expressing tumor.
Main Results:
- NIS expression was detected in 65.2% of triple-negative breast cancer cases, with 47.8% showing strong expression.
- Plasma membrane NIS immunoreactivity was observed in 4 tumors, with equivocal results in another 4.
- Scintigraphy confirmed tumor-specific radioiodide uptake in a patient with a large, therapy-resistant primary breast cancer, demonstrating higher isotope concentration compared to normal breast tissue.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of triple-negative breast cancer cells exhibit strong NIS expression.
- These findings support the potential utility of NIS-directed 131I-radioablative strategies for treating triple-negative breast cancer patients.
