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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material
Published on: August 1, 2018
Low expression of Mel-18 predicts poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer
B-H Guo1, X Zhang2, H-Z Zhang3
1State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Department of Experimental Research, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou; Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Prince of Wales Hospital, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR.
Background:
Our previous study suggested that melanoma nuclear protein 18 (Mel-18) acted as a tumor suppressor in human breast cancer. This study was designed to investigate the clinical and prognostic significance of Mel-18 in breast cancer patients.
Patients And Methods:
Mel-18 was detected by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded tissues from 287 breast cancer patients, of which 287 were from primary cancer sites, 63 from matched adjacent noncancerous sites, and 35 from metastatic lymph nodes. Differences in Mel-18 expression and clinical characteristics were compared by χ² test. Prognostic outcomes correlated with Mel-18 were examined using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards model.
Results:
The decreased Mel-18 expression is incremental depending upon the magnitude of cancer progression (P < 0.001). Mel-18 was conversely correlated with the pathological classifications (P < 0.001 for T, N, and M classifications, respectively), clinical staging (P < 0.001), and progesterone receptor (P = 0.030). Furthermore, patients with higher level of Mel-18 showed prolonged overall survivals (P < 0.001). The diminished Mel-18 expression may be a risk factor for the patients' survival (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Lower Mel-18 expression is correlated with advanced clinicopathologic classifications and a poor overall survival in breast cancer patients. These findings suggest that Mel-18 may serve as a useful marker in prognostic evaluation for patients.
Insights
Lower expression of melanoma nuclear protein 18 (Mel-18) in breast cancer correlates with advanced disease and poor survival. This suggests Mel-18 is a potential prognostic marker for breast cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Previous research indicated melanoma nuclear protein 18 (Mel-18) functions as a tumor suppressor in human breast cancer.
- This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and prognostic importance of Mel-18 in breast cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical significance of Mel-18 expression in breast cancer.
- To determine the prognostic value of Mel-18 in breast cancer patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect Mel-18 expression in 287 breast cancer tissues, including primary tumors, adjacent non-cancerous tissues, and metastatic lymph nodes.
- Statistical analyses, including chi-squared tests, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox proportional hazards models, were employed to correlate Mel-18 levels with clinical characteristics and patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- Decreased Mel-18 expression was significantly associated with increased cancer progression and poorer pathological classifications (T, N, M).
- Lower Mel-18 levels correlated with advanced clinical staging and were linked to progesterone receptor status.
- Patients with higher Mel-18 expression demonstrated significantly prolonged overall survival, indicating diminished Mel-18 is a risk factor for survival.
Conclusions:
- Reduced Mel-18 expression is linked to advanced clinicopathological features in breast cancer.
- Lower Mel-18 levels are associated with a poorer overall survival in breast cancer patients.
- Mel-18 may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker for evaluating breast cancer patient outcomes.
