RANK Expression in Breast Cancer and Its Link to Bone Metastasis
Author Information
Author(s): D. Santini, G. Schiavon, B. Vincenzi, L. Gaeta, F. Pantano, A. Russo, C. Ortega, C. Porta, S. Galluzzo, G. Armento, N. La Verde, C. Caroti, I. Treilleux, A. Ruggiero, G. Perrone, R. Addeo, P. Clezardin, A. O. Muda, G. Tonini
Primary Institution: Department of Medical Oncology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
Hypothesis
Does RANK expression in primary tumors predict the occurrence of bone metastasis in breast cancer patients?
Conclusion
RANK expression in primary tumors is a predictive marker for bone metastasis occurrence and shorter skeletal disease-free survival in breast cancer patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Lower RANK and high OPG mRNA levels correlate with longer overall survival.
- RANK expression is associated with the development of bone metastases.
- Patients with higher OPG levels present a longer disease-free survival.
Takeaway
This study found that a protein called RANK in breast cancer tumors can help predict if the cancer will spread to the bones.
Methodology
The study analyzed mRNA expression levels of RANKL/RANK/OPG in a microarray dataset of 295 primary breast cancer patients and performed immunohistochemistry on 93 specimens.
Limitations
The study lacked data on the menopausal status of patients and did not have IHC data for OPG and RANKL.
Participant Demographics
{"age":{"under_50":246,"over_50":49},"node_status":{"0_nodes":151,"1_to_3_nodes":106,"4_or_more_nodes":38},"tumor_size":{"2_cm_or_less":155,"greater_than_2_cm":140},"histological_grade":{"G1":75,"G2":101,"G3":119},"ER_status":{"negative":69,"positive":226}}
Statistical Information
P-Value
{"RANK":0.0078,"OPG":0.0335}
Confidence Interval
{"RANK_positive":"58.9 months (95% CI: 34.7–68.5)","RANK_negative":"105.7 months (95% CI: 73.9–124.4)"}
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website