title: IMP3, a proposed novel basal phenotype marker, is commonly overexpressed in adenoid cystic carcinomas but not in apocrine carcinomas of the breast.
abstract: Insulin-like growth factor-II mRNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) is a member of the insulin-like growth factor-II signaling pathway, and has recently been described as a biomarker of basal-like breast carcinomas. This study explored IMP3 expression in adenoid cystic carcinomas of the breast, a special type of basal-like, triple-negative (estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu protein negative) carcinoma and compared it with a group of apocrine carcinomas, which are an example of estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor negative, special type of breast carcinoma. Eighteen breast adenoid cystic carcinomas (16 primary and 2 corresponding metastases) and 18 apocrine carcinomas (16 invasive and 2 in situ) were evaluated for the expression of IMP3 protein using immunohistochemical method. A cut-off value for IMP3 positivity was set at 10%. Thirteen of 16 (81.3%) primary adenoid cystic carcinomas overexpressed IMP3 protein, predominantly in membranous distribution. The mean percentage of positive cells among primary adenoid cystic carcinomas was 50%. Both metastatic adenoid cystic carcinomas also strongly overexpressed IMP3 protein (70% and 80% of the tumor cells, respectively). In contrast, only 4 of 16 invasive apocrine carcinomas (25%) exhibited IMP3 positivity with significantly lower percentage of positive cells (27%, P<0.001). Two in-situ apocrine carcinomas were negative. Our results indicate that IMP3 may be an additional basal-type marker in breast carcinoma whose expression can be occasionally seen in other types of breast carcinomas such as apocrine type.
authors: Department of Pathology, Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors: Semir
authors: S
authors: Vranic
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Gurjeva
authors: Snjezana
authors: S
authors: Frkovic-Grazio
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Palazzo
authors: Ossama
authors: O
authors: Tawfik
authors: Zoran
authors: Z
authors: Gatalica
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001050:Apocrine Glands / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C498780:IGF2BP3 protein, human; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins