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Updated: May 18, 2026
Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material
Published on: August 1, 2018
Evaluation of PDE5 and PDE9 expression in benign and malignant breast tumors
Fatemeh Karami-Tehrani1, Marzieh Moeinifard, Mahmoud Aghaei
1Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. Karamitf@modares.ac.ir
Background And Aims:
Phosphodiesterases 5 and 9 (PDE5, PDE9) are enzymes responsible for regulating second messenger signaling by hydrolyzing 3',5' cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). PDE isoforms are deregulated in some types of human cancer. The present study was carried out to evaluate the expression of phosphodiesterase isoenzymes, PDE5 and PDE9, in benign and malignant breast tumors.
Methods:
The expression levels of PDE5 and PDE9 were assayed in malignant and benign breast tumors and corresponding normal breast tissues using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Moreover, the correlation between PDE5, PDE9 relative expression and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed.
Results:
The relative expressions of PDE5 and PDE9 in malignant tumors were significantly higher than those of respective normal breast tissues and benign tumors (5.5-fold, p <0.001 and 6-fold, p <0.001, respectively). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between PDE5 and PDE9 overexpression and tumor grade, stage, and lymph node involvement. However, a negative correlation was observed with age.
Conclusions:
Based on the present results, it is concluded that assessment of PDE5 and PDE9 expression may be useful in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast disease and successful treatment of breast cancer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that PDE5 and PDE9 expression levels are higher in malignant breast tumors than those of normal and benign breast tissue.
Insights
This study found that phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) and phosphodiesterase 9 (PDE9) enzyme expression is significantly higher in malignant breast tumors compared to benign tumors or normal tissue, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Phosphodiesterases 5 and 9 (PDE5, PDE9) regulate cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling.
- Deregulation of PDE isoforms is implicated in human cancers.
- Breast tumors exhibit altered PDE expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the expression of PDE5 and PDE9 in benign and malignant breast tumors.
- To correlate PDE5 and PDE9 expression with clinicopathological features of breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to measure PDE5 and PDE9 expression levels.
- Expression was analyzed in malignant, benign, and normal breast tissues.
- Statistical analysis correlated expression with tumor grade, stage, lymph node involvement, and patient age.
Main Results:
- PDE5 and PDE9 expression were significantly elevated in malignant breast tumors compared to benign tumors and normal tissues (5.5-fold and 6-fold, respectively; p <0.001).
- Overexpression of PDE5 and PDE9 correlated positively with higher tumor grade, advanced stage, and lymph node metastasis.
- A negative correlation was observed between PDE5/PDE9 expression and patient age.
Conclusions:
- Elevated PDE5 and PDE9 expression levels are characteristic of malignant breast tumors.
- Assessment of PDE5 and PDE9 expression may aid in the differential diagnosis of benign versus malignant breast disease.
- These findings suggest PDE5 and PDE9 as potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers for breast cancer.
