Basal cytokeratin as a potential marker of low risk of invasion in ductal carcinoma in situ

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:Biological markers that predict the development of invasive breast cancer are needed to improve personalized therapy for patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ. We investigated the role of basal cytokeratin 5/6 in the risk of invasion in breast ductal carcinoma in situ.METHODS:We constructed tissue microarrays using 236 ductal carcinoma in situ samples: 90 pure samples (group 1) and 146 samples associated with invasive carcinoma (group 2). Both groups had similar nuclear grades and were obtained from patients of similar ages. The groups were compared in terms of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression, cytokeratin 5/6 immunostaining, human epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (EGFR) membrane staining and molecular subtype, as indicated by their immunohistochemistry profiles.RESULTS:ER/PR-negative status was predictive of invasion, whereas HER2 superexpression and cytokeratin 5/6-positive status were negatively associated with invasion. Among the high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ cases, a triple-positive profile (positive for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2) and cytokeratin 5/6 expression by neoplastic cells were negatively associated with invasion. In the low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ subgroup, only cytokeratin 5/6 expression exhibited a negative association with the probability of invasion.CONCLUSION:The immunohistochemical expression of cytokeratin 5/6 by ductal carcinoma in situ epithelial cells may provide clinically useful information regarding the risk of progression to invasive disease.

Development and characterization of two human triple‐negative breast cancer cell lines with highly tumorigenic and metastatic capabilities

“…Aguiar et al. also found CK5/6 expression was negatively associated with the probability of invasion , suggesting that our cell model reflects features of TNBC progression.…”

“…Our previous study showed CK5-positive cell number was inversely correlated to clinical stage of TNBC [33]. Aguiar et al also found CK5/6 expression was negatively associated with the probability of invasion [34], suggesting that our cell model reflects features of TNBC progression.…”

Attempt towards a novel classification of triple-negative breast cancer using immunohistochemical markers

“…In 2008, Cheang et al ( 1 ) revealed that TNBC cases that positively expressed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or cytokeratin (CK) 5/6 demonstrated a shorter survival time and poorer response to chemotherapy, but might benefit from EGFR-targeted therapy ( 2 – 7 ). Another marker in TNBC with potential prognostic and therapeutic value, androgen receptor (AR), has drawn particular attention since 2010 ( 8 ).…”

Overview of Ductal Carcinoma <i>in Situ</i> of the Breast

“…We are strongly moving to a new molecular approach of biopsy samples looking forward DCIS. In a recent publication, basal cytokeratin seems to be a potential marker in ductal carcinoma in situ: the immunoexpression of basal CK 5/6 in both high-grade and low-grade DCIS lesions indicates a lower risk of invasive carcinoma [8].…”