QSOX1 expression is associated with aggressive tumor features and reduced survival in breast carcinomas

Abstract

The biological role of quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) in tumor development is not well known, and its relation to breast cancer progression and prognosis is controversial. Here, our aim was to study the expression pattern and prognostic impact of QSOX1 in breast cancer, in relation to molecular subgroups and tumor cell proliferation. We examined a population-based series as part of the prospective Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program, including all women (50-69 years) diagnosed with breast cancer in one county of Norway during 1996-2003. QSOX1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays (n=458). Median follow-up time was 13 years. High expression of QSOX1 protein was associated with features of poor prognosis including high histologic grade, hormone receptor negativity, HER2 positivity, and increased tumor cell proliferation. High QSOX1 expression was further associated with reduced breast cancer-specific survival in both univariate and multivariate analysis, independent of molecular subtypes. High QSOX1 expression is a strong and independent factor of reduced survival in breast cancer, also reflected by elevated levels in more aggressive molecular subgroups. QSOX1 expression may represent a biomarker for aggressive disease and a potential treatment target.

Core fucosylated glycan-dependent inhibitory effect of QSOX1-S on invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

“…We were able to functionally demonstrate via in vitro and in vivo experiments that QSOX1-S can have a direct inhibitory effect on the invasive and metastatic potential of HCC. QSOX1 has been found to be over-expressed in multiple types of cancers, however, controversy exists regarding the action of QSOX1 as a tumor suppressor or promoter 31–33 . In the study presented here, the sample analysis and functional investigation all support the idea that QSOX1-S acts as a suppressor of metastases in HCC.…”

LUAD And LUSC Cancer Classification, Biomarker Identification, and Pathway Analysis Using Overlapping Feature Selection Methods

“…ARHGEF38, in particular, has been associated with aggressive prostate cancer [37]. ARHGAP12, though not shown to exhibit invasion potential, has also been implicated in cell proliferation [38].The other upregulated genes ELFN2, QSOX1, and MUC1 have been shown to directly promote metastasis in various cancers [39][40][41][42][43], including lung cancer. Intriguingly, all 5 biomarker candidates (ARHGAP12, ARHGEF38, ELFN2, QSOX1, MUC1) that are upregulated in LUAD are involved in cancer proliferation and metastasis; the most enriched pathway in LUAD, which is platelet degranulation, is associated with metastasis as well [44].…”

Putative Biomarkers for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Suggested by Proteomic Analysis of Cell Secretome

“…QSOX1 is up-regulated in several types of malignancies, especially breast and pancreatic adenocarcinoma where it stimulates tumor cell growth and invasiveness as suggested by studies on cell lines (39). The importance of this enzyme in contributing to the metastatic diffusion is highlighted by its role in the interplay between cancer cells and ECM and observations which indicate its high expression in breast cancer as a negative prognostic factor (39,41). Whereas a circulating peptide from QSOX1-L has been proposed as blood-based biomarker of pancreatic adenocarcinoma a recent proteomic-based study of primary lung cancer cell secretome has proposed QSOX1 as a potential tissue and serum biomarker of this cancer type (42,43).…”