Cytoplasmic Location of FIH-1 Linked to Poor Survival in Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Tan Ern Yu, Campo Leticia, Han Cheng, Turley Helen, Pezzella Francesco, Gatter Kevin C, Harris Adrian L, Fox Stephen B
Primary Institution: Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
Hypothesis
The study investigates the role of factor-inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (FIH-1) in invasive breast carcinoma and its correlation with hypoxia.
Conclusion
FIH-1 expression is associated with the hypoxic response and survival outcomes in invasive breast cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- 81% of tumors expressed FIH-1, with different localization patterns affecting prognosis.
- Nuclear FIH-1 expression was inversely associated with tumor grade and recurrence risk.
- Cytoplasmic FIH-1 was linked to higher tumor grade and poorer disease-free survival.
- Patients with tumors expressing FIH-1 exclusively in the cytoplasm had significantly shorter survival.
Takeaway
This study found that where FIH-1 is located in breast cancer cells can affect how long patients survive; if it's mostly in the cytoplasm, patients tend to do worse.
Methodology
The study used microarrayed tissue cores from 295 invasive breast carcinomas, staining for FIH-1, HIF-1α, and carbonic anhydrase 9, and correlated FIH-1 expression with clinicopathological parameters.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in patient selection and tissue sampling methods.
Limitations
The study only included operable breast carcinoma patients and did not account for neoadjuvant therapy effects.
Participant Demographics
Median age of participants was 57 years, with a range from 29 to 90 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = 0.02
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 0.21–0.96
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website