Expression of the forkhead box transcription factor FOXP1 is associated with oestrogen receptor alpha, oestrogen receptor beta and improved survival in familial breast cancers.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The role of FOXP1 in sporadic breast cancers has been widely studied but its role in familial breast cancers is yet unexplored.

AIMS:

To investigate FOXP1 expression in different molecular subtypes of familial breast cancers and to correlate its expression with clinicopathological parameters, oestrogen receptors (ER) and survival.

METHODS:

Immunohistochemical staining for FOXP1 was performed in 126 familial breast carcinomas comprising 35 BRCA1, 34 BRCA2 and 57 BRCAX.

RESULTS:

Nuclear FOXP1 expression ranged from focal weak to widespread strong expression. Expression of FOXP1 was higher in familial breast cancers (54%) compared with sporadic cancers (46%) (p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between FOXP1 with ERalpha (p = 0.038) and ERbeta (p = 0.007) in familial breast cancers. FOXP1 was more highly expressed in familial breast cancers compared with sporadic cancers for luminal (p = 0.021) and basal (p<0.001), but not HER2 and null phenotypes (both p>0.05). The absence of FOXP1 expression was associated with a shorter relapse-free (p = 0.025) and overall survival (p = 0.009) in familial breast cancer. Negativity for FOXP1 was associated with a significantly worse overall survival in BRCA2 cancers (p = 0.021) and there was a non-significant separation of the survival curves for BRCA1 cancers (p = 0.183). No differences in survival were seen for BRCAX cancers (p = 0.762).

CONCLUSION:

Results suggest that FOXP1 demonstrates different expression patterns in familial breast cancers than sporadic tumours, even in tumours showing similar phenotypes. They also suggest a different role of FOXP1 as a tumour suppressor in familial tumours, which is unrelated to ER expression and may impact on therapeutic options.

• Authors: M Rayoo, M Yan, E A Takano, G J Bates, P J Brown, A H Banham, S B Fox
• Journal: Journal of clinical pathology (J Clin Pathol) Vol. 62 Issue 10 Pg. 896-902 (Oct 2009) ISSN: 1472-4146 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19622517 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
• BLID protein, human
• BRCA1 Protein
• BRCA1 protein, human
• BRCA2 Protein
• BRCA2 protein, human
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Estrogen Receptor alpha
• Estrogen Receptor beta
• FOXP1 protein, human
• Forkhead Transcription Factors
• Neoplasm Proteins
• Repressor Proteins

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
• BRCA1 Protein (metabolism)
• BRCA2 Protein (metabolism)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (metabolism)
• Breast Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Estrogen Receptor alpha (metabolism)
• Estrogen Receptor beta (metabolism)
• Female
• Forkhead Transcription Factors (metabolism)
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Proteins (metabolism)
• Phenotype
• Prognosis
• Repressor Proteins (metabolism)
• Retrospective Studies
• Survival Analysis