Expression of interleukin 11 and its receptor and their prognostic value in human breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Recent experimental evidence has shown a potential role of interleukin (IL)-11 and its receptor in breast cancer development and progression. However, there is little clinical information to support this hypothesis. We examined the expression of IL-11 and its receptor in primary breast cancer tissue samples and correlated their level of expression with the clinical outcome.


METHODS
Primary breast cancer samples (n=109) and matched background tissue obtained from patients in the cohort (n=33) were processed for frozen section and RNA extraction. Frozen sections from matched tissues were immunostained with IL-11 and IL-11 receptor antibodies. Staining intensity was analyzed by computer image analysis. RNA was reverse-transcribed and quantified before analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results were expressed as the number of transcripts (standardized by beta-actin). The data were compared with the clinical outcome of the disease.


RESULTS
The intensity of staining for both IL-11 and the IL-11 receptor was distinctly high in tumor samples (P<.01). The transcript level of IL-11 was significantly higher in node-positive tumor samples compared with node-negative samples (P=.02). Tumors with a poor prognostic index and poor histological grade showed a higher level of IL-11. A higher level of IL-11 was linked to poorer survival with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-11 can be a predictor of poor prognosis in human breast cancer.
Hanavadi
Satheesha
S
University Department of Surgery, Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XN, United Kingdom. satheeshh@yahoo.com
Martin
Tracey A
TA
Watkins
Gareth
G
Mansel
Robert E
RE
Jiang
Wen G
WG
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005629:Frozen Sections; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017370:Interleukin-11 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053703:Interleukin-11 Receptor alpha Subunit; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053702:Receptors, Interleukin-11; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015996:Survival Rate
C508611:IL11 protein, human; C508428:IL11RA protein, human; D017370:Interleukin-11; D053703:Interleukin-11 Receptor alpha Subunit; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053702:Receptors, Interleukin-11