Profile of anterior gradient 3 (AGR3) mRNA expression and serum levels in benign and malignant breast tumors

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Benign and malignant breast tumors are the most commonly diagnosed tumor in females. Early and accurate diagnosis of malignancy is essential for effective breast cancer treatment. Human anterior gradient 3 (AGR3) has been suggested as a potential biomarker for the early detection and prognostic determination of breast cancer. OBJECTIVE: This study profiles AGR3 mRNA expression and serum protein levels in patients with benign and malignant breast tumors. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted on 40 benign and 40 malignant breast tumor patients in Makassar, Indonesia. AGR3 mRNA and protein were detected using qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: This study found significantly higher AGR3 mRNA expression in benign than malignant breast tumors using qRT-PCR (p < 0.001). In contrast, ELISA revealed no significant difference between AGR3 serum protein levels in benign and malignant breast tumors (p = 0.507). CONCLUSIONS: AGR3 is associated with non-aggressive tumors and could be used as a marker for less aggressive breast tumors.

Over-expression of Anterior Gradient 3 Is Associated With Tumor Progression and Poor Survival in Gastric Cancer

“…However, some studies have revealed contrasting findings. AGR3 mRNA expression was higher in benign than in malignant breast tumors and associated with non-aggressive tumors, which could be used as a marker for less aggressive breast tumors (37). Another study reported that AGR3 was associated with the level of differentiation, slowly proliferating tumors, and more favorable prognosis among breast cancer patients, suggesting its tumor suppressive role (38).…”