Expression of αV and β3 integrins in primary breast tumors during cancer progression

Distant metastasis is the leading cause of death from breast cancer. Тhe mechanism of metastasis may be associated with aberrant expression of αv and β3 integrin subunits in primary tumor cells.

Purpose of the study: to evaluate the presence and localization of the expression of αv and β3 integrin subunits in primary breast cancer cells.

Material and Methods. Тhe study included 49 women with Т1–4N0–3M0 invasive ductal breast carcinoma. Тhe median age of the patients was 50 years (range: 43 to 60 years). Biopsy samples of the primary tumor were examined. Тhe expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors, c-erB-2 (Her2/ neu), Ki67, CD51 (integrin αV), CD61 (integrin β3) were assessed using immunohistochemistry.

Results. Тhe expression of αV integrin (CD51) and β3 integrin (CD61) was studied in relation to key clinical parameters. Тhe Т4 criterion and the presence of regional lymph node metastasis were associated with the expression of αV integrin in the cytoplasm of primary tumor cells. Тhe N3 criterion was associated with the presence of the expression of β3 integrin in the cytoplasm of primary tumor cells. Тhe frequency of positive cytoplasmic expression of β3 integrin subunit was approximately the same in cases with and without hematogenous metastases.

Conclusion. Тhe Т4 criterion and the presence of regional lymph node metastasis are associated with the expression of αV integrin subunit in the cytoplasm of primary tumor cells. Тhe N3 criterion is associated with the expression of β3 integrin subunit in the cytoplasm of primary tumor cells.

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