Tissue Factor Expression Does Not Predict Mortality in Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: Tissue factor (TF), the trigger of coagulation, not only initiates thrombus formation, but also elicits tumor growth and invasion in breast cancer. However, the characterization of TF expression in breast cancer tissue and its prognostic value remain unclear.

Materials and methods: Three hundred and three primary breast cancer specimens from the local tumor tissue database were immunostained for TF expression and evaluated semiquantitatively. Tumor characteristics (size, grade, nodal status, and ER expression) as well as patient's survival were assessed.

Results: Expression of TF was detected in 99% of specimens with higher expression in invasive lobular than ductal carcinoma (p=0.008). TF expression correlated with ER expression (p<0.0001) and inversely with tumor grade (p=0.006). Survival analysis did not reveal any prognostic impact of TF expression (p=0.966).

Conclusion: This study - by analyzing TF expression in the largest cohort of breast cancer patients so far - does not support a prognostic impact of TF expression.

Keywords: Tissue factor; breast cancer; hormone receptors; metastasis; survival; thrombosis.