Prognostic Value of SGK1 and Bcl-2 in Invasive Breast Cancer

Abstract

It is crucial to understand molecular alterations in breast cancer and how they relate to clinicopathologic factors. We have previously shown that the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) protein expression was reduced in invasive breast carcinoma compared to normal breast tissue. Glucocorticoids, signaling through the GCR, regulate several cellular processes via downstream targets such as serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). We measured the expression of SGK1 and Bcl-2, in respective breast cancer tissue arrays, from a multiracial cohort of breast cancer patients. Higher cytoplasmic SGK1 staining was stronger in breast cancer tissue compared to normal tissue, especially in hormone receptor-negative cases. Conversely, the expression of cytoplasmic Bcl-2 was reduced in breast cancer compared to normal tissue, especially in hormone receptor-negative cases. Bcl-2 staining was associated with the self-reported racial/ethnic category, an earlier clinical stage, a lower histological grade, and a higher survival rate. Bcl-2 expression was associated with longer survival in models adjusted for age and race (HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.65), and Bcl-2 expression remained strongly positively associated with protection from breast cancer death, with additional adjustments for ER/PR status (HR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.2, 0.85). SGK1 and Bcl-2 may play biological roles in breast cancer development and/or progression.

The role of serum-glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 in reproductive viability: implications from prenatal programming and senescence

“…Considering its “oncogenic” property [ 23 ], SGK1 presumably contributes to cell viability, particularly in prenatal programming and reproductive senescence by the same token. Intriguingly, emerging evidence points to a significant role of SGK1 in cell growth and survival, cell metabolism, reproduction, and life span, all of which reflect the energic viability of living creatures [ 24 , 25 ].…”

Role of KDM2B epigenetic factor in regulating calcium signaling in prostate cancer cells

“…For ORAI1/STIM1 this is partly achieved by NFκΒ, which is also upregulated by SGK1 ( Lang et al, 2018a ). SGK1 is expressed in many tumors like colorectal ( Liang et al, 2017 , Chen et al, 2020 ), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ( Guerriero et al, 2020 , Kale et al, 2023 ), breast ( Godbole et al, 2018 , Al-Alem et al, 2023 , Zhang et al, 2023 ) and prostate ( Liu et al, 2017 , Liu et al, 2018 ).…”