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Updated: Mar 25, 2026
Clinicopathological Analysis of miRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Tissues by Using miRNA In Situ Hybridization
Published on: June 7, 2016
MicroRNA expression profiling identifies decreased expression of miR-205 in inflammatory breast cancer
Abstract:
Inflammatory breast cancer is the most aggressive form of breast cancer. Identifying new biomarkers to be used as therapeutic targets is in urgent need. Messenger RNA expression profiling studies have indicated that inflammatory breast cancer is a transcriptionally heterogeneous disease, and specific molecular targets for inflammatory breast cancer have not been well established. We performed microRNA expression profiling in inflammatory breast cancer in comparison with locally advanced noninflammatory breast cancer in this study. Although many microRNAs were differentially expressed between normal breast tissue and tumor tissue, most of them did not show differential expression between inflammatory and noninflammatory tumor samples. However, by microarray analysis, quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and in situ hybridization, we showed that microRNA-205 expression was decreased not only in tumor compared with normal breast tissue, but also in inflammatory breast cancer compared with noninflammatory breast cancer. Lower expression of microRNA-205 correlated with worse distant metastasis-free survival and overall survival in our cohort. A small-scale immunohistochemistry analysis showed coexistence of decreased microRNA-205 expression and decreased E-cadherin expression in some ductal tumors. MicroRNA-205 may serve as a therapeutic target in advanced breast cancer including inflammatory breast cancer.
Insights
MicroRNA-205 is significantly decreased in aggressive inflammatory breast cancer. Lower microRNA-205 levels correlate with poorer survival, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target for advanced breast cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an aggressive subtype requiring novel therapeutic targets.
- Current molecular targets for IBC are not well-established, highlighting the need for biomarker discovery.
- Messenger RNA expression profiling indicates IBC is transcriptionally heterogeneous.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microRNA expression profiles in IBC compared to non-inflammatory breast cancer.
- To identify potential microRNA biomarkers for IBC.
- To evaluate the clinical significance of microRNA-205 in breast cancer survival.
Main Methods:
- MicroRNA expression profiling using microarray analysis.
- Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) for validation.
- In situ hybridization to assess microRNA localization.
- Immunohistochemistry to evaluate protein expression (E-cadherin).
Main Results:
- MicroRNA-205 expression was significantly decreased in both tumor tissue versus normal breast tissue and in IBC versus non-inflammatory breast cancer.
- Lower microRNA-205 expression correlated with worse distant metastasis-free survival and overall survival.
- Decreased microRNA-205 expression was observed alongside decreased E-cadherin expression in some ductal tumors.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNA-205 is a potential biomarker for inflammatory breast cancer.
- Reduced microRNA-205 levels are associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients.
- MicroRNA-205 represents a promising therapeutic target for advanced breast cancers, including IBC.
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