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Evidence of a tumour suppressor function for DLEC1 in human breast cancer
W Al Sarakbi1, S Reefy, W G Jiang
1St. George's University of London, Tooting, London, UK.
Unlabelled:
DLEC1 (deleted in lung and oesophageal cancer), located on 3p22.3, is a candidate tumour suppressor gene in lung, esophageal, and renal cancer. The aim of this study was determine whether the mRNA expression levels of DLEC1 were consistent with a tumour suppressive function.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 153 samples were analysed. The levels of transcription of DLEC1 were determined using quantitative PCR and normalised against (CK19). Transcript levels within breast cancer specimens were compared to normal background tissues.
Results:
Levels of transcription were lower [corrected] in tumour samples compared to adjacent non cancerous tissue (ANCT) samples but this was not statistically significant (median 0.167 vs. 0.03; p=0.138). DLEC1 expression levels were significantly lower in samples from patients who developed metastasis, local recurrence, or died of breast cancer when compared to those who were disease free for >10 years (p=0.041).
Discussion:
These findings are consistent with a possible tumour suppressor function of DLEC1 in breast cancer.
Insights
DLEC1 (deleted in lung and oesophageal cancer) gene expression was lower in breast tumors, especially in patients with metastasis or recurrence. These findings suggest DLEC1 may act as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- DLEC1 (deleted in lung and oesophageal cancer) is a candidate tumor suppressor gene.
- DLEC1 is located on chromosome 3p22.3.
- Its role in breast cancer warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if DLEC1 mRNA expression levels correlate with a tumor suppressive function in breast cancer.
- To investigate DLEC1 expression in breast cancer tissues compared to normal tissues.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative PCR was used to measure DLEC1 mRNA levels in 153 breast cancer samples and adjacent non-cancerous tissues.
- CK19 was used as a normalization control.
- Expression levels were compared between tumor and normal tissues, and also between patients with different clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- DLEC1 transcript levels were lower in tumor samples than in adjacent non-cancerous tissues, though not statistically significant.
- Significantly lower DLEC1 expression was observed in patients who developed metastasis, local recurrence, or died from breast cancer compared to disease-free patients.
- A trend towards lower DLEC1 expression was noted in tumor samples compared to normal tissues.
Conclusions:
- The observed lower expression of DLEC1 in breast tumors, particularly in patients with adverse outcomes, supports its potential role as a tumor suppressor.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the function of DLEC1 in breast cancer pathogenesis.
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