Loss of expression of transforming growth factor beta type II receptor correlates with high tumour grade in human breast in-situ and invasive carcinomas.
Gobbi, H 1,6; Arteaga, C L 2,3,4; Jensen, R A 1,4; Simpson, J F 1; Dupont, W D 5; Olson, S J 1; Schuyler, P A 5; Plummer, W D Jr 5; Page, D L 1,5
[Article] Histopathology. 36(2):168-177, February 2000.

(Format: HTML)

Aims: Loss of transforming growth factor beta type II receptor (TGF[beta]-RII) expression has been associated with resistance to TGF[beta]-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and tumour progression. We investigated whether the expression of TGF[beta]-RII is related to the progression of human breast cancer and whether there is a correlation between TGF[beta]-RII expression and phenotypic markers of biological aggressiveness.

Methods and results: Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect TGF[beta]-RII in archival breast samples including benign proliferative lesions, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive mammary carcinomas (IMC). Neoplastic cells showed reduced expression of TGF[beta]-RII in comparison to the normal breast tissue and benign lesions. There was a significant inverse correlation between loss of TGF[beta]-RII expression and tumour grade within both DCIS (P = 0.004) and IMC (P = 0.001) groups. There was an inverse correlation between TGF[beta]-RII expression and both mitotic count (P = 0.001) and clinical stage (P = 0.004). Oestrogen receptor (P = 0.07) and lymph node status (P = 0.10) were not significantly associated with TGF[beta]-RII expression.

Conclusions: These data indicate that decreased expression of TGF[beta]-RII may contribute to breast cancer progression and is related to a more aggressive phenotype in both in-situ and invasive carcinomas.

(C) 2000 Blackwell Science Ltd.