Oestrogen receptor negative breast cancers exhibit high cytokine content
2007

Cytokines in Oestrogen Receptor Negative Breast Cancer

Sample size: 105 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Chavey Carine, Bibeau Frédéric, Gourgou-Bourgade Sophie, Burlinchon Sandrine, Boissière Florence, Laune Daniel, Roques Sylvie, Lazennec Gwendal

Primary Institution: INSERM, U844, University of Montpellier I

Hypothesis

Cytokines could play an important role in cancer as potential modulators of angiogenesis and leucocyte infiltration.

Conclusion

Multiple cytokines were overexpressed in oestrogen receptor negative breast carcinoma, correlating with inflammatory cell components and potentially contributing to the aggressiveness of these tumors.

Supporting Evidence

  • Fourteen of the 17 cytokines were expressed in breast carcinoma, while only nine were detected in normal breast.
  • Most cytokines were more abundant in breast carcinoma than in normal breast.
  • IL-8 and MIP-1β were expressed to a greater degree in HER2-positive than in HER2-negative patients.
  • High levels of IL-8 were correlated with increased vascularization in tumors.

Takeaway

This study found that certain proteins called cytokines are much higher in aggressive breast cancers that don't have estrogen receptors, which might help explain why these cancers are more dangerous.

Methodology

Multiplexed flow cytometry was used to measure the expression of 17 cytokines in breast carcinoma samples.

Participant Demographics

Patients had primary unilateral, nonmetastatic breast carcinoma.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/bcr1648

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