Study of GATA-3 Expression in Breast Carcinoma in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India

Abstract

Background: Transcription factor GATA3 is a relatively new and specific biomarker for breast carcinoma that regulates luminal cell differentiation. However, further studies that elucidate its role and diagnostic utility in breast cancer is desired. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess GATA3 expression in breast carcinoma and determine its association with various known prognostic and predictive factors of breast carcinoma. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, observational study where 110 breast carcinoma cases were examined histologically on H&E stained slides for routine parameters such as tumor morphological type and histologic grade.ER/PR/Her-2-neu/ki67 and GATA3 expression was determined using immunohistochemistry. All cases were assessed to determine the association of GATA3 with different established clinicopathological parameters in breast cancer such as patient age, axillary lymph node status, tumor grade, lymphovascular invasion, molecular subtype etc. The results were statistically analyzed and P value < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: 97 cases (88.1%) expressed GATA3 and it was significantly associated with most of the established clinico-pathological parameters like family history of breast cancer, tumour size and histology grade, lymph node and margin status, presence of lymphovascular invasion and carcinoma in-situ component .GATA3 expression was also significantly associated with ER/PR/Her2neu/ki67 expression. Conclusion: GATA3 expression is significantly associated with the different established clinicopathological parameters of breast cancer. Therefore, it may be considered as a relevant marker more routinely. Further studies of GATA3 in breast cancer may refine prognostic models, predict clinical outcomes and modify treatment guidelines in future