유방암에서 galectin-3와 paxillin 발현의 의미

Abstract

Association of galectin-3, a member of a large family of β-galactoside binding protein, and breast cancer progression presented controversial results. Paxillin, a cytoskeletal focal adhesion protein, has recently been shown to be transcriptionally up-regulated and phosphorylated in breast cancer. Additionally, paxillin expression may correlate with HER-2/neu amplification in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to assess expression of galectin-3 and paxillin by immunohistochemistry. The results were compared with both clinicopathological factors (histologic grade, tumor size, and lymph node status) and HER-2/neu overexpression in an attempt to assess its prognostic value in 108 invasive ductal carcinomas of breast (IDC). The galectin-3 expression was positive in 45.4% of IDC and not correlated with clinicopathological factors and HER-2/neu overexpression. The paxillin expression was positive in 43.5% IDC. The paxillin expression was significantly correlated with higher histologic grade, larger tumor size and HER-2/neu overexpression. These findings suggest that paxillin expression may be associated with more aggressive phenotype. Further study of a role for paxillin expression in predicting response to targeted therapy may be warranted.