Background: To investigate the expression of periostin in breast cancer and its clinical relevance.
Methods: Periostin mRNA expression in breast tissues was measured by RT-PCR. Periostin protein in breast tissues was evaluated by Western blot. Immunohistochemistry method (Envision method) was carried out to detect the expression of periostin in breast cancer tissues of different clinical stages and metastasized lymph nodes, as well as benign breast disease.
Results: The expression of periostin in cancer tissue was increased at both mRNA level (P < 0.05) and protein level (P < 0.05) compared with benign and normal breast tissues. The periostin protein expression level increased with breast cancer clinical stages as shown by IHC.
Conclusion: Periostin was overexpressed in breast cancer tissues as opposed to normal breast, which implies its role in the pathogenesis and development of this disorder.
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