Correlation analysis of the expression of nuclear factor kappa B of triple-negative breast cancer with clinical pathology and prognosis

Abstract

Objective To explore the expression, pathology and prognosis of nuclear factor kappa B in triple-negative breast cancer. Methods One hundred and ninty-one breast cancer patients diagnosed by the Department of Pathology from January 2008 to December 2011 were chosen as the research objects, with 93 cases of TNBC and 98 cases of non-TNBC. Statistics was carried out for the correlation analysis of the expression of NF-κB with age, tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, histological grading, Ki-67 expression and tumor size. Results Positive rate of NF-κB expression in TNBC group was higher than the non-TNBC group, and the difference was statistically significant (59.14% vs 43.88%, χ2 = 4.449 1, P = 0.034 9). The expression of NF-κB in TNBC group had no obvious relation to age, tumor stage and tumor size, but it was related to TNBC lymph node metastasis, histological grading, and Ki-67 expression (P < 0.05). TNBC patients with negative NF-κB expression had better prognosis than those with positive expression, which was statistically significant (χ2 = 4.592 3, P = 0.032 1). NF-κB expression had no significant correlation with 3-years DFS. Conclusions The expression of NF-κB in TNBC patients is higher than non-TNBC patients. The expression of NF-κB is closely related to lymph node metastasis, histological grading and Ki-67 expression. Positive NF-κB expression suggests poorer prognosis for TNBC patients. Key words: Triple-negative breast cancer; Clinical pathology; Prognosis; Nuclear factor kappa B