Analysis of RhoC expression and lymphovascular emboli in inflammatory vs non-inflammatory breast cancers in Egyptian patients

Breast. 2009 Feb;18(1):55-9. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2008.11.002. Epub 2009 Jan 20.

Abstract

Understanding the molecular factors that distinguish inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) from non-IBC is important for IBC diagnosis. We reviewed the records of 48 IBC patients and 64 non-IBC patients from Egypt. We determined RhoC expression and tumor emboli and their relationship to demographic and reproductive characteristics. Compared with non-IBC patients, IBC patients had significantly lower parity (P=0.018) and fewer palpable tumors (P<0.0001). IBC tumors showed RhoC overexpression more frequently than non-IBC tumors (87% vs. 17%, respectively) (P<0.0001). Tumor emboli were significantly more frequent in IBC tumors than non-IBC tumors (Mean+/- SD: 14.1+/-14.0 vs. 7.0+/-12.9, respectively) (P<0.0001). This study illustrates that RhoC overexpression and tumor emboli are more frequent in tumors of IBC relative to non-IBC from Egypt. Future studies should focus on relating epidemiologic factors to molecular features of IBC in this population.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / metabolism
  • Egypt
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating
  • Parity
  • Pregnancy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • rhoC GTP-Binding Protein

Substances

  • RHOC protein, human
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rhoC GTP-Binding Protein