Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Metastatic Breast Cancer in Omani Women

This study aimed to identify EMT and CSC phenotypes in metastatic and non-metastatic breast cancer in Omani women and their association with conventional clinico-pathological predictors of BC. In a retrospective study of ninety-six Omani women with breast cancer, the association of age, pregnancy/lactation, tumor size, type, grade, ductal carcinoma insitu (DCIS), lymphovascular invasion, hormone/ HER2 receptor expression and Ki67 proliferation index (Ki67 PI) was tested with EMT/ CSC phenotype and metastasis. Young age  ≤ 40 years, lymphovascular invasion and EMT had a strong association with metastasis; CSC approached significance. Vimentin expression in tumor cells, fibronectin and MMP-11 in stroma were reliable markers of EMT; dual EMT and CSC phenotype (Vim+/ CD44+/ CD 24−/low) had a strong association with apocrine variant, basal-like tumors and triple negative cancers. EMT had a strong association with Ki67 proliferation index (PI) and CSC with HER2-like tumors and distant metastasis. These select markers may be useful in metastasis-prediction in pre-treatment biopsies.
Source: Cancer Microenvironment - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research