Smad4-expression is Decreased in Breast Cancer Tissues: a Retrospective Study

Overview

Journal BMC Cancer

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Oncology

Date 2006 Jan 28

PMID 16438724

Citations 23

Authors

Christina H Stuelten

Miriam B Buck

Juergen Dippon

Anita B Roberts

Peter Fritz

Cornelius Knabbe

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Although transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) typically inhibits proliferation of epithelial cells, consistent with a tumor suppressor activity, it paradoxically also exhibits pro-metastatic activity in the later stages of carcinogenesis. Since tumors often display altered TGF-beta signaling, particularly involving the Smad-pathway, we investigated the role of Smad4-expression in breast cancer.

Methods: Smad4 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 197 samples of primary breast cancer obtained between 1986 and 1998. The prognostic value of Smad4-expression was analyzed.

Results: Smad4 expression was found to be reduced in lobular and ductal breast carcinoma as compared to surrounding uninvolved lobular and ductal breast epithelia (p < 0.001, n = 50). Smad4-expression correlated positively with expression of TGF-beta-receptor I (p < 0.001, n = 197) and TGF-beta-receptor II (p < 0.001, n = 197), but showed no significant correlation with tumor size, metastases, nodal status, histological grade, histological type, or estrogen receptor expression. While not achieving statistical significance, there was a trend towards longer survival times in patients with Smad4 negative tumors.

Conclusion: According to the suggested role of Smad4 as a tumor suppressor we observed that expression of Smad4 is lower in human breast cancer than in surrounding breast epithelium. However, we also observed a trend towards longer survival times in Smad4-negative patients, indicating the complex role of TGF-beta signaling in tumor progression.

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