Tumor tissue protein signatures reflect histological grade of breast cancer

PLoS One. 2017 Jun 26;12(6):e0179775. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179775. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Histological grade is one of the most commonly used prognostic factors for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. However, conventional grading has proven technically challenging, and up to 60% of the tumors are classified as histological grade 2, which represents a heterogeneous cohort less informative for clinical decision making. In an attempt to study and extend the molecular puzzle of histologically graded breast cancer, we have in this pilot project searched for additional protein biomarkers in a new space of the proteome. To this end, we have for the first time performed protein expression profiling of breast cancer tumor tissue, using recombinant antibody microarrays, targeting mainly immunoregulatory proteins. Thus, we have explored the immune system as a disease-specific sensor (clinical immunoproteomics). Uniquely, the results showed that several biologically relevant proteins reflecting histological grade could be delineated. In more detail, the tentative biomarker panels could be used to i) build a candidate model classifying grade 1 vs. grade 3 tumors, ii) demonstrate the molecular heterogeneity among grade 2 tumors, and iii) potentially re-classify several of the grade 2 tumors to more like grade 1 or grade 3 tumors. This could, in the long-term run, lead to improved prognosis, by which the patients could benefit from improved tailored care.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / immunology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / immunology
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Grading / methods*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / immunology
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prognosis
  • Protein Array Analysis
  • Single-Chain Antibodies

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Single-Chain Antibodies

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from the Strategic Centre for Translational Cancer Research—CREATE Health, VINNOVA (Breast Cancer Initiative), and Lund University. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.