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Expression of Interleukin 11 and Its Receptor and Their Prognostic Value in Human Breast Cancer

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Abstract

Background

Recent experimental evidence has shown a potential role of interleukin (IL)-11 and its receptor in breast cancer development and progression. However, there is little clinical information to support this hypothesis. We examined the expression of IL-11 and its receptor in primary breast cancer tissue samples and correlated their level of expression with the clinical outcome.

Methods

Primary breast cancer samples (n = 109) and matched background tissue obtained from patients in the cohort (n = 33) were processed for frozen section and RNA extraction. Frozen sections from matched tissues were immunostained with IL-11 and IL-11 receptor antibodies. Staining intensity was analyzed by computer image analysis. RNA was reverse-transcribed and quantified before analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results were expressed as the number of transcripts (standardized by β-actin). The data were compared with the clinical outcome of the disease.

Results

The intensity of staining for both IL-11 and the IL-11 receptor was distinctly high in tumor samples (P < .01). The transcript level of IL-11 was significantly higher in node-positive tumor samples compared with node-negative samples (P = .02). Tumors with a poor prognostic index and poor histological grade showed a higher level of IL-11. A higher level of IL-11 was linked to poorer survival with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

Conclusions

IL-11 can be a predictor of poor prognosis in human breast cancer.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Cancer Research Wales and to Breast Cancer Campaign, Cardiff, for their support to carry out this research work.

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Correspondence to Satheesha Hanavadi MS, FRCS.

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Hanavadi, S., Martin, T.A., Watkins, G. et al. Expression of Interleukin 11 and Its Receptor and Their Prognostic Value in Human Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 13, 802–808 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2006.05.028

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2006.05.028

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