Correlation between Choline Peak at MR Spectroscopy and Calcium-Sensing Receptor Expression Level in Breast Cancer: A...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is implicated in various pathological conditions, including breast cancer.
• CaSR activation may lead to increased phosphocholine production via choline kinase in breast cancer cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) detected total choline peak in breast lesions and CaSR expression levels in surgical specimens.
• To explore the role of CaSR in choline metabolism within breast cancer.

Main Methods:

• 36 patients with breast lesions underwent 3T MRI scans.
• Tumor morphology and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MR kinetics were assessed.
• (1)H-MRS was used for choline (Cho) detection, with results compared to CaSR immunohistochemistry scores (0-5) from surgical specimens.

Main Results:

• Eighty-seven percent (20/23) of breast cancer lesions with a detectable choline peak showed high CaSR expression (score 3-5).
• Ninety-one percent (10/11) of lesions negative for choline had low CaSR expression (score 1-2).
• Two benign lesions exhibited a choline peak with non-uniform/weak CaSR expression (score 3).

Conclusions:

• A significant correlation (p < 0.01) exists between the presence/absence of a choline peak on (1)H-MRS and CaSR expression in breast lesions.
• These findings support the hypothesis that CaSR plays a crucial role in choline production in breast cancer.