Correlated expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ with high histologic grade and basal type in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast

Abstract

Backgroud and aim:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor c (PPARc ) is one of the ligand-activated transcription factors belonging to the nuclear hormone receptor family. The protein is expressed in various kinds of tumor and has been implicated as a tumor suppressor in most cancers. We aimed to understand the role of PPARc in breast cancer. Methods: The expression of PPARc in 288 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma was examined using tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry. Results: PPARc immunoreactivity was detected in 21.5% of cases and significantly associated with expression of EGFR and ki-67 (P = 0.008; P = 0.046). PPARc expression was correlated with high histological grade and basal type (P ≤ 0.001; P = 0.009). Conclusions: PPARc expression is related to poor prognostic factors of breast cancer. It is considered that PPARc has evident tumor promoting properties in vivo, but receptor-independent effects of PPARc ligands may compound its biologic effects in cancer. A better understanding of action mechanisms of the activated PPARc is required.