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Down-regulated ECRG4 expression in breast cancer and its correlation with tumor progression and poor prognosis--A

Yanjie You1,2,3, Haijun Li4, Xin Qin5

  • 1Pathological Examination and Research Center, Luohe Medical College, Luohe, 462002, China.

Cellular Oncology (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
|December 4, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Reduced expression of esophageal carcinoma related gene 4 (ECRG4) protein in breast cancer is linked to advanced disease and poor survival. Loss of ECRG4 may serve as a prognostic biomarker for breast cancer patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Esophageal carcinoma related gene 4 (ECRG4) identified as a tumor suppressor in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
  • Reduced ECRG4 expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma is associated with promoter hypermethylation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess ECRG4 protein expression in breast cancer.
  • To clarify the clinicopathological significance and prognostic implications of ECRG4 in breast cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Western blotting to analyze ECRG4 protein levels in paired breast cancer and noncancerous tissues.
  • Immunohistochemistry on 113 breast cancer samples to correlate ECRG4 expression with clinicopathological features and survival.

Main Results:

  • ECRG4 protein expression was significantly reduced in breast cancer tissues compared to adjacent noncancerous tissues.
  • Loss of ECRG4 expression correlated with lymph node metastasis, advanced tumor stage, and unfavorable overall survival.
  • ECRG4 protein expression identified as an independent prognostic factor for patient survival.

Conclusions:

  • Loss of ECRG4 protein expression is implicated in breast cancer progression.
  • ECRG4 serves as a potential prognostic biomarker for breast cancer.
Keywords:
Breast cancerECRG4ImmunohistochemistryPrognosis

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