title: CD105 (Endoglin) expression in breast carcinoma effusions is a marker of poor survival.
abstract: We analyzed the expression and clinical role of endoglin (CD105) in breast carcinoma effusions. Endoglin levels were measured in 36 effusion supernatants by ELISA and studied for association with the cancer-associated markers calprotectin, VEGF, and the VEGF receptor sFlt1. Endoglin expression was further studied in 46 effusions and 22 primary carcinomas using immunohistochemistry. The four secreted molecules were detected in all specimens and their levels significantly correlated (p < 0.001). In effusions, endoglin was localized to carcinoma cells and reactive mesothelium using immunohistochemistry. Tumor cell expression was higher in effusions compared to primary carcinomas (p = 0.025), and in post-chemotherapy compared to pre-chemotherapy effusions (p = 0.017). Higher tumor endoglin expression was associated with poor overall (p = 0.021) and disease-free (p = 0.032) survival in univariate analysis, and was an independent predictor in Cox multivariate analysis (p = 0.001 and p = 0.038, respectively). Our data suggest that endoglin may be an important therapeutic target in metastatic breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathology, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, N-0310 Oslo, Norway. bend@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Helene Tuft
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Stavnes
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Førsund
authors.forename: Aasmund
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berner
authors.forename: Anne Cathrine
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Staff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000071063:Endoglin; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000378:metabolism; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000378:metabolism; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C501162:FLT1 protein, human; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1