Abstract
BackgroundT-lymphoma invasion and metastasis-inducing protein 1 (Tiam1) has been implicated in tumor occurrence and progression. Recent studies have shown that high expression levels of Tiam1 protein appear to be associated with the progression of numerous human tumors. This study attempted to explore the role of Tiam1 protein in tumor progression and the prognostic evaluation of breast cancer.MethodsThe localization of the Tiam1 protein was determined in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line using immunofluorescence (IF) staining. In addition, a total of 283 breast tissue samples, including 153 breast cancer tissues, 67 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 63 adjacent non-tumor breast tissues, were analyzed by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of the Tiam1 protein. The correlation between Tiam1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics was evaluated by Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact tests. Disease-free survival (DFS) and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Additionally, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed by the Cox proportional hazards regression models.ResultsTiam1 protein showed a mainly cytoplasmic staining pattern in breast cancer cells; however, nuclear staining was also observed. Tiam1 protein expression was significantly higher in breast cancers (42.5 %, 65/153) and DCIS (40.3 %, 27/67) than in adjacent non-tumor tissues (12.7 %, 8/63). In addition, Tiam1 associated with tumor stage and Ki-67 expression, but negatively correlated with receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-2 (Her2) expression. Moreover, survival analyses showed that DFS and 10-year OS rates were significantly lower in breast cancer patients with high Tiam1 expression than those with low Tiam1 expression. Univariate analysis suggested that molecular types, clinical stage, Her2 expression levels and Tiam1 expression levels were also significantly associated with DFS and 10-year OS rates of breast cancer patients. Furthermore, multivariate analysis suggested that Tiam1 expression is a significant independent prognostic factor along with tumor stage in patients with breast cancer.ConclusionsTiam1 expression is frequently up-regulated in breast cancer. Tiam1 expression correlated with clinicopathological parameters, suggesting that it may be a useful prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for patients with breast cancer.
Highlights
T-lymphoma invasion and metastasis-inducing protein 1 (Tiam1) has been implicated in tumor occurrence and progression
Tiam1 protein expression is increased in breast cancers To determine the expression levels of Tiam1 in breast cancer patients, we performed IHC
The subcellular localization of Tiam1 protein was further explored by performing IF staining for Tiam1 protein in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells
Summary
T-lymphoma invasion and metastasis-inducing protein 1 (Tiam1) has been implicated in tumor occurrence and progression. Recent studies have shown that high expression levels of Tiam protein appear to be associated with the progression of numerous human tumors. This study attempted to explore the role of Tiam protein in tumor progression and the prognostic evaluation of breast cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most common tumors in women worldwide, accounting for approximately 29 % of all new cancer cases among women, and it is the most common cause of cancer death in women. Invasive breast cancer includes at least four major molecular subtypes, which differ by their expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-2 (Her2), and the proliferative status of the tumor [3, 4]. Therapeutic strategies have improved, existing prognosis factors have failed to provide the necessary precision needed for making therapeutic decisions
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