title: Copy Number Analysis of the DLX4 and ERBB2 Genes in South African Breast Cancer Patients.
abstract: Breast cancer is one of the main causes of cancer death among South African women. Although several risk factors can be attributed to the observed high mortality rate, the biology of the tumors is not extensively investigated. Copy number gain of the DLX4 homeobox gene has been observed in breast cancer in association with poor prognosis and specific racial groups. Therefore, we aimed to assess the copy number and prognostic role of DLX4 in breast cancer from South African patients. Due to the co-location of ERBB2 and DLX4 in the 17q21 region, its copy number was also evaluated. Our results in the analysis of 66 cases demonstrated copy number gains of DLX4 and ERBB2 in 24.1 and 29.7% of the cases, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed no dependency between the copy number alterations in these genes. Although not significant, patients with DLX4 and ERBB2 gains presented a higher frequency of advanced-grade tumors. In addition, copy number alterations of these genes were not significantly differently observed in the 3 main racial groups of the Western Cape population: Colored, White, and Black. These findings indicate that gains of DLX4 and ERBB2 occur in South African breast cancer patients irrespectively of their race and factors known to influence prognosis.
authors.forename: Bridget C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Langa
authors.forename: Márcia M C
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Silma R F
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Kamil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lupicki
authors.forename: Catalin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marian
authors.forename: Dhirendra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Govender
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Panieri
authors.forename: Donavon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hiss
authors.forename: Iglenir J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Cavalli
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdul-Rasool
authors.forename: Luciane R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Cavalli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D056915:DNA Copy Number Variations; D005260:Female; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013019:South Africa; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C105304:DLX4 protein, human; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors