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Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Clinicopathological Analysis of miRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Tissues by Using miRNA In Situ Hybridization
Published on: June 7, 2016
Lin28B expression correlates with aggressive clinicopathological characteristics in breast invasive ductal carcinoma
Ruilian Xie1, Yanru Wang, Weiwei Nie
11 Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, Southern Medical University , Guangzhou, China .
Abstract:
Lin28B is a RNA-binding protein that inhibits the let-7 microRNA family and acts as an oncogene in various human malignant diseases. Conversely, the members of let-7 family function as tumor suppressers and are often inactivated in cancers. The interaction of Lin28B/let-7 plays a crucial part of tumorigenesis. In this study, the authors examined the Lin28B expression using immunohistochemistry in 190 breast cancers and analyzed the correlation of Lin28B immunostaining and clinicopathological characteristics. Breast cancer patients previously diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinomas were enrolled in this study. All cases went through surgical procedures as the initial treatment. The characteristics of every case were collected, including tumor size, pathologic grade, metastatic lymphoid nodes, and estrogen receptor α (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 status. The immunostaining was scored by two independent investigators. Eighty-three (43.7%) of 190 cases showed positive expression of Lin28B. Lin28B immunostaining was increased in tumors compared with the adjacent tissues. Overexpression of Lin28B was linked to poor differentiation, advanced-stage disease, and Ki67-positive status (all p<0.05). Besides, Lin28B expression was significantly different among breast cancer subtypes. This study addresses the role of Lin28B in breast cancers and provides insight of its predictive effects in disease development.
Insights
Lin28B oncogene expression is elevated in breast tumors, correlating with aggressive features like poor differentiation and advanced stage. This highlights Lin28B
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Lin28B is an oncogenic RNA-binding protein inhibiting tumor-suppressive let-7 microRNAs.
- The Lin28B/let-7 axis is critical in tumorigenesis across various cancers.
- let-7 microRNAs are frequently inactivated in malignant diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Lin28B expression in breast cancer tissues.
- To analyze the correlation between Lin28B immunostaining and clinicopathological features.
- To explore the prognostic significance of Lin28B in breast cancer subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess Lin28B expression in 190 invasive ductal carcinomas.
- Clinicopathological data including tumor size, grade, lymph node metastasis, and receptor status (ERα, PR, HER2) were collected.
- Immunostaining scores were determined by two independent investigators.
Main Results:
- Lin28B was overexpressed in 43.7% (83/190) of breast cancers compared to adjacent tissues.
- Lin28B overexpression correlated significantly with poor differentiation, advanced disease stage, and high Ki67 proliferation index (p<0.05).
- Distinct Lin28B expression patterns were observed across different breast cancer subtypes.
Conclusions:
- Lin28B overexpression is a frequent event in breast cancer, associated with adverse prognostic indicators.
- Lin28B may serve as a potential predictive biomarker for disease development and progression in breast cancer.
- Targeting the Lin28B/let-7 pathway could offer therapeutic strategies for breast cancer treatment.
