Abstract
IntroductionMicroRNAs are small, non coding regulatory molecules containing approximately 21 to 25 nucleotides. They function as controllers of expression at post transcriptional levels of most human protein-coding genes and play an essential role in cell signaling pathways. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the expression profile of the following micro-RNAs: miR-10b, miR-17, miR-21, miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-148a and miR-182, and to determine their possible interaction in triple-negative and non triple-negative primary breast cancers based on clinical outcome.Methods60 triple-negative and non triple-negative breast cancer cases, along with their corresponding normal samples were investigated in relation to the expression of the seven studied miRNAs using qPCR Syber Green.ResultsWe observed that miR-21, miR-146a and miR-182 were significantly over expressed in triple negative breast cancer. Moreover, miR-10b, miR-21 and miR-182 were significantly associated to lymph node metastases occurrence in triple negative breast carcinoma while only miR-10b was associated with grade III in non triple negative breast cancer cases. Almost all the analyzed microRNAs were strongly associated with patients’ genico-obstetric history in non triple negative breast cancer cases except for miR-34a. All the studied microRNAs were strongly correlated with the use of the contraceptive pills in non triple negative breast cancer groups. The additive effect of hormonal factors in triple negative breast cancer cases showed an association with all the studied miRs except for miR-34 and miR-146a.ConclusionThe studied microRNAs are strongly influenced by environmental factors especially with hormonal patients’ history. Moreover, miR-10b, miR-21 and miR-182 could be defined as biomarkers in breast cancer to predict both lymph node metastases and grade III occurrence.
Highlights
MicroRNAs are small, non coding regulatory molecules containing approximately 21 to 25 nucleotides
These cases were divided into two groups: 30 patients with triple negative breast carcinoma and 30 patients with non triple negative breast cancer profile including 16 cases with the Luminal A subtype, 10 with the Luminal B subtype and 4 with the HER-2 subtype
Data concerning the expression of the three markers (ER, progesterone receptor (PR) and HER-2) by routine immunohistochemistry along with clinical and personal information were collected from the archive of the Salah Azaiez Institute data base
Summary
MicroRNAs are small, non coding regulatory molecules containing approximately 21 to 25 nucleotides. Breast tumors expressing the hormonal receptors are usually luminal A and B breast cancer subtypes which are characterized as a favorable prognosis since they are followed up with hormonal anti-tumor treatments, such as aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen, which target the estrogen receptor [3]. Triple-negative breast cancer profile is classified as normal breast-like if basal cytokeratins and the epidermal growth factor receptor are lacking, and as basal-celllike cancers when basal cytokeratines (cytokeratin 5 and 6 and/or cytokeratin 14) are expressed [10]. Triple-negative and basal-like breast cancers are often associated with high proliferation, high grade, young age (,38 years), lack of BRCA1 protein expression and aggressive clinical behavior (lymph node and distant metastases occurrence) [12]
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