Association of integrin expression in tumor tissue with hematogenic metastasis of breast cancer

Background. Distant hematogenous metastasis is the leading cause of tumor-related death from breast cancer. To prevent metastasis, prognostic markers for predicting the risk and location of hematogenous metastases are required. In this regard, it is of great importance to study the expression of integrins involved in the most important processes that determine the progression of cancer.

The objective of the study was to investigate the association of integrin expression in tumor tissue with hematogenous metastasis of patients with breast cancer.

Material and Methods. The study included 72 patients (average age – 51 ± 12 years) with stage T1–4N0–3M0–1 unspecifed invasive ductal breast carcinoma, with all molecular biological subtypes (luminal A, luminal B, HER2-positive and triple negative). The biopsy material was examined before the start of antitumor treatment. Expression of integrins in tumor cells was assessed by immunohistochemical methods. Antibodies CD61 (integrin β3, Invitrogen, USA), CD104 (integrin β4, Invitrogen, USA), CD51 (integrin αV, Invitrogen, USA) were used.

Results. In patients with hematogenous metastases, cytoplasmic rather than cytoplasmic/membrane colocalization, CD61 expression was more often detected (p=0.036). Cytoplasmic and membrane colocalization of CD104 was more frequently detected in brain metastases compared to lung (p=0.026) and bone (p=0.036) metastases. Expression of CD51 integrin was more often associated with lung metastases than with bone metastases (p=0.045).

Conclusion. The frequency and localization of hematogenous metastases in breast cancer patients are associated with the presence and localization of CD61, CD104 and CD51 expression in the tumor cell.

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