Molecular beacon reverse transcription-PCR of human chorionic gonadotropin-beta-3, -5, and -8 mRNAs has prognostic value in breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
The beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is encoded by four genes, of which expression of the hCGbeta-3, -5, and -8 genes could have prognostic value in breast cancer.


METHODS
Applying a new, modified Molecular Beacon reverse transcription-PCR assay, we investigated the prognostic value of the hCGbeta-3, -5, and -8 gene transcripts in 129 sporadic unilateral breast cancer samples from patients with a median follow-up of 62.3 months.


RESULTS
Expression of hCGbeta-3, -5, -8 was significantly (P = 0.020) associated with relapse-free survival (RFS). In multivariate survival analysis, hCGbeta-3, -5, and -8 maintained prognostic value for RFS, with high expression predicting shorter RFS (P = 0.015; hazard ratio, 2.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-4.34). Only 1 of 24 (4%) node-negative patients with low hCGbeta-3, -5, -8 expression relapsed, in contrast to 7 of 26 (27%) patients with high expression (P = 0.046).


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of hCGbeta-3, -5, -8, which differ by only one nucleotide from other hCGbeta genes, can be assessed by our modified Molecular Beacon assay in breast cancer tissues. Expression of hCGbeta-3, -5, -8 has independent, prognostic value for RFS in breast cancer and may help identify node-negative patients with poor prognosis.
Span
Paul N
PN
Department of Chemical Endocrinology, University Medical Center Nijmegen, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. p.span@ace.umch.nl
Manders
Peggy
P
Heuvel
Joop J T M
JJ
Thomas
Chris M G
CM
Bosch
Remko R
RR
Beex
Louk V A M
LV
Sweep
C G J  Fred
CG
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods
D000199:Actins; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D012333:RNA, Messenger