Abstract
Background & Objective: The role of Epstein-Barr Virus in development of breast cancer is frequently studied. In this regard, miRNAs are among the contributing elements in the molecular pathophysiology of EBV-related diseases. In addition, a growing number of host miRNAs are believed to be implicated in pathogenesis of breast cancer. MiR-218 is a tumor suppressive miRNA that is subjected to dysregulation in various EBV-associated cancers. We aimed to investigate the frequency of EBV and its relationship with expression status of tumor suppressive miR-218 in breast cancer and adjacent normal tissue.Methods: A total number of 51 fresh malignant breast cancer tissues (cases) and their adjacent normal tissues (controls) were collected. Nested-PCR and RT-qPCR were set to identify EBV frequency and miR-218 expression in cases and controls, respectively.Results: Out of all samples, 6.8% (7/102) comprising 11.6% (6/51) in malignant tissues and 1.9% (1/51) in normal control tissues were positive for EBV (P<0.05). Quantitative data showed that miR-218 was significantly downregulated in malignant tissues compared to control tissues (P<0.0001). In addition, reduced expression of miR-218 was associated with adverse clinical outcomes, metastasis, and higher grades of malignancy. Given the presence of EBV, lower expression of miR-218 was observed in breast cancer group in comparison with normal group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Our results raise the possibility of the relation between EBV infection and miR-218 downregulation in breast cancer and propose further investigations in this regard.
Highlights
Breast cancer is the most prevalent neoplasm in females and the second leading cause of malignancyrelated deaths worldwide [1]
Our results raise the possibility of the relation between Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection and miR-218 downregulation in breast cancer and propose further investigations in this regard
Breast cancer is considered as a multifactorial phenomenon with multiple internal and external risk factors [3]
Summary
Breast cancer is the most prevalent neoplasm in females and the second leading cause of malignancyrelated deaths worldwide [1]. Breast cancer is considered as a multifactorial phenomenon with multiple internal and external risk factors [3]. In the last three decades, growing interest has focused on the role of viral agents in pathogenesis of breast cancer. The role of Epstein-Barr Virus in development of breast cancer is frequently studied. In this regard, miRNAs are among the contributing elements in the molecular pathophysiology of EBV-related diseases. A growing number of host miRNAs are believed to be implicated in pathogenesis of breast cancer. We aimed to investigate the frequency of EBV and its relationship with expression status of tumor suppressive miR-218 in breast cancer and adjacent normal tissue
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