Stromal markers AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 are prognostic factors in primary human breast cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Stromal fibroblasts influence tumor growth and progression. We evaluated two aldo-keto reductases, AKR1C1 and AKR1C2, in stromal fibroblasts and carcinoma cells as prognostic factors in primary human breast cancer. They are involved in intratumoral progesterone metabolism.

METHODS:

Immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue microarrays from 504 core biopsies from breast cancer patients. Primary endpoints were disease-free (DFS) and overall (OS) survival.

RESULTS:

AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 expression in fibroblasts and tumor cells correlated with favorable tumor characteristics, such as small tumor size and negative nodal status. In univariate analysis, AKR1C1 expression in carcinoma cells correlated positively with DFS und OS; AKR1C2 expression in both fibroblasts and tumor cells also showed a positive correlation with DFS and OS. In multivariate analysis, AKR1C1 expression in carcinoma cells was an independent prognostic marker.

CONCLUSION:

It can be assumed that our observations are due to the independent regulatory function of AKR1C1/2 in progesterone metabolism and therefore provide a basis for new hormone-based therapy options for breast cancer patients, independent of classic hormone receptor status.

• Authors: Antonia Wenners, Felix Hartmann, Arne Jochens, Anna Maria Roemer, Ibrahim Alkatout, Wolfram Klapper, Marion van Mackelenbergh, Christoph Mundhenke, Walter Jonat, Maret Bauer
• Journal: International journal of clinical oncology (Int J Clin Oncol) Vol. 21 Issue 3 Pg. 548-56 (Jun 2016) ISSN: 1437-7772 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 26573806 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
• 20-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
• 3 alpha-beta, 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
• AKR1C2 protein, human

Topics

• 20-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases (analysis)
• Biomarkers (analysis)
• Breast Neoplasms (chemistry, pathology)
• Carcinoma (chemistry, secondary)
• Disease-Free Survival
• Female
• Fibroblasts (chemistry)
• Humans
• Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases (analysis)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Staging
• Prognosis
• Survival Rate
• Tumor Burden