Objective: To assess the association of five types of fucosyltransferase gene (Fuc-T), the important biosynthesis gene of sialylated carbohydrate antigens (Sialyl Lewis A, Sialyl Lewis X), with metastasis and prognosis of breast cancer.
Methods: The real-time quantitative PCR of five-type Fuc-T III, IV, V, VI, VII genes was performed in 80 patients with breast cancer.
Results: The result showed that Fuc-TVII gene had higher gene copy compared to other type of Fuc-T in breast cancer. The grading of Fuc-TVII gene was related to lymph node metastasis and poor disease-free survival. Statistically difference was significant (P < 0.01). Fuc-T III, IV, V, VI gene were not significant relation to the metastasis and prognosis in 80 cases.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that Fuc-TVII gene is a prognostic indicator of breast cancer, and it may be play an important role in the biosynthesis of sialylated carbohydrate antigens in breast cancer.