Expression of estrogen receptor-beta in normal mammary and tumor tissues: is it protective in breast carcinogenesis?
Using messenger RNA (mRNA) in situ hybridization, we investigated estrogen receptor-beta (ERbeta) mRNA levels in normal mammary, benign breast tumor (BBT), breast cancer (BC), and metastatic lymph node tissues to verify the role of ERbeta in BC development and progression. ERbeta expression was significantly decreased in BC and metastatic lymph node tissues compared with normal mammary and BBT tissues (p < 0.01). The intensity and extent of ERbeta mRNA signals were also significantly lower in BC and metastatic lymph node tissues than in the normal mammary and BBT tissues (p < 0.01). An inverse relationship was found between ERbeta mRNA level and both histologic grade (p = 0.091) and progesterone receptor expression (p = 0.052) with marginal significance, but no significant association was noted between ERbeta expression in cancer tissues and the other clinico-pathologic data. The 3-year distant relapse-free survival probability was found to be independent of ERbeta expression. Collectively, ERbeta mRNA decreases in the process of BC development, but seems to be associated with poor differentiation.
Park
Byeong-Woo
BW
Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. bwpark@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
Kim
Ki-Suk
KS
Heo
Min-Kyu
MK
Ko
Seung-Sang
SS
Hong
Soon Won
SW
Yang
Woo-Ick
WI
Kim
Joo-Hang
JH
Kim
Gwi Eon
GE
Lee
Kyong Sik
KS
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen