TUBB3 Gene Expression: Prognostic Biomarker for Breast Cancer Stage?
Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
According to Elchin Mansurov, PhD, and colleagues from the Azerbaijan Republic Ministry of Health, Baku, TUBB3 gene expression appears to show some predictive value for a breast cancer diagnosis. The report, originally slated for presentation at the 2020 NCCN Annual Conference (Abstract CLO20-048) but published in the JNCCN–Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, indicated that patients with breast cancer who have high levels of TUBB3 gene expression tend to have a poor prognosis. The researchers suggested the use of anatomic-prognostic models as a potential substitute for molecular-prognostic testing.
To investigate the predictive role of TUBB3 gene expression in patients with primary breast cancer, the research team randomly assigned 250 patients who were diagnosed between 2014 and 2016. The patient population included patients with stage I (6%), II (28%), III (47%), and IV (20%) disease. The researchers evaluated the correlation between tumor stage and parameters such as patient age, tumor detection period, tumor size, biologic subtypes, tumor grade, and TUBB3 gene expression level. The study team used beta-2 microglobulin as a reference gene to normalize the expression level of target genes.
The researchers did not find significant relationships between breast cancer stage and most of the measured factors. However, TUBB3 gene expression appeared to increase linearly with increasing disease stage. For example, in patients with stage I, II, III, and IV disease, TUBB3 gene expression was 14.31%, 23.2%, 45.8%, and 53.11%, respectively.
Disclosure: The study authors reported no conflicts of interest.
