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Updated: May 12, 2026
Evaluating Autophagy Levels in Two Different Pancreatic Cell Models Using LC3 Immunofluorescence
Published on: April 28, 2023
Expression of autophagy-related protein Beclin-1 in malignant canine mammary tumors
Jing-Lan Liu1, Kai-Chian Chang, Chun-Chih Lo
1Department of Pathology, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, No. 565, Section 2, Daya Road, Chiayi, 60069, Taiwan.
Background:
Autophagy is a self-catabolic mechanism that degrades unnecessary cellular components through lysosomal enzymes. Beclin-1, an autophagy-related protein, establishes the first connection between autophagy and tumorigenesis. The purpose of this study is to assess the Beclin-1 expression pattern and to determine its prognostic significance in patients with malignant canine mammary tumor (CMT).
Results:
We examined Beclin-1 expression in 70 cases of malignant CMTs by immunohistochemistry. Cytoplasmic Beclin-1 expression was significantly weaker in cancer cells than in nearby normal mammary glands (p < 0.001). Low cytoplasmic expression (57.14%) was associated with older age, lower degree of tubular formation, increased mitotic activity, higher histologic grade, and extensive necrosis. Low nuclear expression (40%) was connected with older age, lower degree of tubular formation, extensive necrosis, and negative for Her2/neu overexpression. Univariate survival analysis showed that Beclin-1 cytoplasmic expression was a poor prognostic factor for overall survival rate (p < 0.001). Multivariate survival analysis demonstrated that Beclin-1 cytoplasmic expression is an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.016).
Conclusions:
Loss of Beclin-1 is associated with aggressive clinicopathologic features and poor overall survival. The results suggest that Beclin-1 plays an important role in tumor progression of malignant CMTs.
