Expression of endogenous granzyme B in a subset of human primary breast carcinomas
2003

Granzyme B in Breast Cancer

Sample size: 25 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Hu S X, Wang S, Wang J P, Mills G B, Zhou Y, Xu H-J

Primary Institution: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Hypothesis

Can endogenous granzyme B be expressed in non-immune cells of breast cancer?

Conclusion

The study found that endogenous granzyme B is expressed in a subset of breast cancer cells, particularly those overexpressing the retinoblastoma protein.

Supporting Evidence

  • Endogenous granzyme B was detected in breast cancer cells rather than in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.
  • The correlation between granzyme B and pRB expression was significant.
  • Three out of 25 tumors expressed high levels of both granzyme B and pRB.

Takeaway

Some breast cancer cells can make a protein called granzyme B, which is usually found in immune cells, especially when they have a certain protein called pRB.

Methodology

The study used immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting on paraffin-embedded tissue sections from breast carcinoma specimens.

Limitations

The sample size was small, which limited the statistical analysis.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6601051

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