Stem Cell Marker Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1A1 Expression in Triple-negative Breast Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Increasing evidence has proposed that tumor contains tumor initiating cells or cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for its progression and relapse. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) has recently been identified as a marker for cancer stem cells in some human malignancies including breast cancer.Triple negative breast carcinomas (TNBCs) are group of primary breast tumors with aggressive clinical behavior that have no targeted therapy at present.
 Aim: The assessment of immunohistochemical expression of ALDH1A1 in triple negative breast carcinoma and its correlation with the clinicopathological features of TNBC.
 Material and Methods: This study consisted of 60 cases of TNBC. Immunohistochemical reactions were carried out by using ALDH1A1 monoclonal antibody. A total score of ALDH1A1 expression is obtained by multiplying the score of staining intensity & percentage of stained cells to obtain score ranging from 0 up to 300. Due to the relatively large number of positive cases, a statistical analysis was performed with a negative (score ≤ 10) and positive (score > 10) cutoff [1].
 Results: Evaluation of the results of immunostaining for ALDH1A1 showed 88.3% of totalcases (53 cases) having a positive cytoplasmic reactivity. Statistical analysis for a possible correlation between ALDH1A1 expression and prognostic clinicopathological parameters; age, size, tumor grade, histologic subtypes, lymphovascular invasion, intraductal components, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and TNM stage grouping revealed a non-significant correlation.
 Conclusion: ALDH1A1 couldn’t be used solely as a diagnostic or prognostic marker In TNBCs. Further research combining with other biomarkers and with a greater number of patients is necessary to confirm the role of ALDH1A1 in TNBC.
 Key words: Cancer stem cells (CSCs), Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1), Triple Negative Breast cancer (TNBC).