Autophagy-related molecules, light chain 3B, p62, and beclin 1, as prognostic markers in triple-negative breast cancer

Background and aim: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with aggressive behavior and poor clinical outcome. Therefore, identification of biomarkers predicting prognosis may help to improve the clinical outcome of TNBC. Autophagy is a process of lysosomal degradation and recycling of intracellular components. It plays an important role in normal cells as well as in malignant cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of expression of autophagy-related molecules, light chain 3B (LC3B), p62, and beclin 1, their relationship with clinicopathological features, and their prognostic value in TNBC patients. Materials and methods: LC3B, p62, and beclin 1 proteins were assessed immunohistochemically in 28 cases of TNBC, and their capacity to predict overall survival and disease-free survival was evaluated. Results: LC3B protein expression showed a significant direct relation with nodal stage (P=0.005) and a near-significant relation with tumor size (P=0.057). Nuclear p62 protein expression was inversely related to tumor size (P=0.019). However, cytoplasmic p62 positivity was directly related to tumor size and nodal metastasis (P=0.002 and 0.001, respectively). Nuclear beclin 1 reactivity was not related to any of the clinicopathological features of the cases. However, cytoplasmic expression of beclin 1 was inversely associated with nodal stage and tumor size (P=0.001 and 0.052, respectively). A significant inverse relationship was noticed between cyto...
Source: Egyptian Journal of Pathology - Category: Pathology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research