Assessment of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP levels in triple-negative breast cancer patients: clinical and pathological correlations

Su-Fang Shi; Rui-Xi Cai; Yan-Fei Ren; Yong Li; Shuo Li; Tian-Lu Yin; Dong-Xiao Jia; Yong-Jun Li

doi:10.1007/s12094-024-03426-3

Assessment of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP levels in triple-negative breast cancer patients: clinical and pathological correlations

Clin Transl Oncol. 2024 Mar 13. doi: 10.1007/s12094-024-03426-3. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Su-Fang Shi^#¹, Rui-Xi Cai^#², Yan-Fei Ren³, Yong Li⁴, Shuo Li¹, Tian-Lu Yin⁵, Dong-Xiao Jia¹, Yong-Jun Li⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan, 056000, Hebei, China.
² Department of Anorectal, Handan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Handan, 056000, Hebei, China.
³ Operating Room, The Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan, 056000, Hebei, China.
⁴ Operating Room, The Second Hospital of Handan, Handan, 056000, Hebei, China.
⁵ Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100000, China.
⁶ Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, No. 81 Congtai Road, Congtai District, Handan, 056000, Hebei, China. yongjunlilyj05@126.com.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 38478261
DOI: 10.1007/s12094-024-03426-3

Abstract

Objective: The primary goal of this study was to investigate the expressions of TUFT1 (Tuftelin) and Rac1-GTP in the cancerous tissues of individuals with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Additionally, we aimed to explore the correlation between TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions and examine the associations of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions with the clinical and pathological indicators of the patients.

Methods: Ninety-six patients diagnosed with TNBC, scheduled for surgery between May 2022 and November 2022, were enrolled in this study. Cancerous tissue specimens were collected from these patients, and immunohistochemistry was employed to evaluate the levels of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions in the cancerous tissues. Subsequent to data collection, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions. Furthermore, we sought to assess the associations of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions with the clinical and pathological indicators of the patients.

Results: The TUFT1 protein was expressed in both the membrane and cytoplasm of TNBC cancer cells, with notably higher expression observed in the cytoplasm. Rac1-GTP was primarily expressed in the cytoplasm. There was a positive correlation between the levels of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions (χ² = 9.816, P < 0.05). The levels of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP protein expressions showed no correlation with patient age (χ² = 2.590, 2.565, P > 0.05); however, they demonstrated a positive correlation with tumor size (χ² = 5.592,5.118), histological grading (χ² = 6.730, 5.443), and lymph node metastasis (χ² = 8.221, 5.180) (all with a significance level of P < 0.05).

Conclusion: A significant correlation was identified between the levels of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions in the cancerous tissues of patients with TNBC, suggesting a close association with the progression of TNBC. The two molecules play significant roles in facilitating an early diagnosis and treatment of TNBC.

Keywords: Clinical pathological indicators; Rac1-GTP; TUFT1; Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Grants and funding

No.20210206/2021 Hebei Medical science research project plan