Disruption of the blood brain barrier by brain metastases of triple-negative and basal-type breast cancer but not HER2/neu-positive breast cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Generally, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of brain metastasis was thought to be disrupted.

METHODS:

We retrospectively performed immunohistochemical staining for glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) to evaluate the status of the BBB in resected brain metastases. Associations between expression of GLUT1 and/or BCRP and the immunohistochemical profiles of breast cancers, such as the statuses of hormone receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu), and a basal-type marker (cytokeratin 5/6, HER1), were also analyzed.

RESULTS:

The study included 29 breast cancer patients with brain metastasis who had undergone brain tumor resections. Among the 29 patients, there was no expression of GLUT1 and BCRP in the intratumor microvessels of 9 (32%) and 11 (38%) patients, respectively. There was no expression of both GLUT1 and BCRP in 8 patients (28%). The expression of GLUT1 was significantly associated with that of BCRP (P < .001). A positive correlation was observed between the expression of GLUT1 and/or BCRP and brain metastases of HER2/neu-positive breast cancer (P = .012), while a negative correlation was observed between the expression of GLUT1 and/or BCRP and brain metastases of triple negative or basal-type breast cancer (P = .014 and P = .003 for triple negative and basal-type, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

Brain metastases of triple negative or basal-type breast cancers may often disrupt the BBB, whereas brain metastases of HER2/neu-positive breast cancer tend to preserve the BBB.

• Authors: Kan Yonemori, Koji Tsuta, Makiko Ono, Chikako Shimizu, Akihiro Hirakawa, Tadashi Hasegawa, Yutaka Hatanaka, Yoshitaka Narita, Soichiro Shibui, Yasuhiro Fujiwara
• Journal: Cancer (Cancer) Vol. 116 Issue 2 Pg. 302-8 (Jan 15 2010) ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States
• PMID: 19937674 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• ABCG2 protein, human
• ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
• ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
• Glucose Transporter Type 1
• Neoplasm Proteins
• SLC2A1 protein, human
• ERBB2 protein, human
• Receptor, ErbB-2

Topics

• ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
• ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters (metabolism)
• Adult
• Aged
• Blood-Brain Barrier (metabolism)
• Brain Neoplasms (secondary)
• Breast Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Female
• Glucose Transporter Type 1 (metabolism)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Proteins (metabolism)
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (metabolism)