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Updated: May 13, 2026
A Next-generation Tissue Microarray (ngTMA) Protocol for Biomarker Studies
Published on: September 23, 2014
An evaluation of focal adhesion kinase in breast cancer by tissue microarrays
Shyr-Ming Sheen-Chen1, Chun-Ying Huang, Yi-Chia Chan
1Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital 123, Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. smsheen@yahoo.com
Background:
Many studies have shown that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a positive regulator of tumor progression and invasion. However, there is still very limited information about the role of FAK in breast cancer. Tissue microarrays (TMA) can analyze thousands of tissue samples in a parallel fashion with minimal damage to the origin block. This study was designed with the application of TMA to analyze the FAK status in breast cancer.
Patients And Methods:
Archival tissue specimens from 98 patients with primary invasive breast cancer were selected and FAK expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining with TMA. The data of primary tumor staging, age, estrogen receptor status, lymph node status, histological grading and TNM staging were also collected.
Results:
There were four patients (4.0%) with grade 1 expression in FAK, 41 patients (41.8%) with grade 2 expression in FAK and 53 patients (54.2%) with grade 3 expression in FAK. There was no significant relationship between FAK expression and age, estrogen receptor status, histological grading, primary tumor staging, lymph node status and TNM stage. By multivariate analysis, the TNM stage was found to be significantly related to the overall five-year survival rate (p<0.00001).
Conclusion:
Immunohistochemical staining with TMA is a convenient and feasible method. Unfortunately, our preliminary results fail to show meaningful prognostic value of FAK in breast cancer. A larger prospective study is warranted for further evaluation.
Insights
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression in breast cancer tissues showed no significant prognostic value. Further large-scale studies are needed to evaluate FAK
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is known to promote tumor progression and invasion.
- Limited data exists on FAK's specific role in breast cancer development.
- Tissue microarrays (TMA) offer efficient analysis of numerous tissue samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and prognostic significance of FAK in breast cancer using TMA.
- To correlate FAK expression with clinical and pathological parameters.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of FAK was performed on 98 primary invasive breast cancer tissue specimens using TMA.
- Clinical data including tumor stage, lymph node status, and survival rates were collected.
Main Results:
- FAK expression was graded, with 4.0% showing grade 1, 41.8% grade 2, and 54.2% grade 3.
- No significant correlation was found between FAK expression and patient age, ER status, tumor grade, or stage.
- TNM stage significantly correlated with the five-year overall survival rate (p<0.00001).
Conclusions:
- Immunohistochemical staining with TMA is a feasible method for FAK analysis.
- This preliminary study did not find prognostic value for FAK in breast cancer.
- Larger prospective studies are recommended for further investigation.
