Correlation of expression of WWOX and JNK with clinicopathologic features in human breast carcinoma

The aim of our study was to compare the expression levels of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) in human breast carcinoma, to analyze the correlation between the expression of WWOX and JNK with the clinicopathologic features of human breast carcinoma, and to explore the potential mechanism of their antitumor effects. The mRNA and protein levels of WWOX and JNK in forty paired breast carcinoma tissues and the adjacent normal tissues were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Protein expression was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The mRNA expression levels of both JNK and WWOX were downregulated in carcinoma tissues relative to those in the adjacent normal tissues, as determined by Western blot analysis and IHC (P<0.01). JNK expression was positively correlated with WWOX expression (r=0.47, P=0.002). Both WWOX and JNK play important roles in breast cancer. Therefore, the antitumor ability of WWOX and JNK could supply significant information for therapeutic strategy.