Expression of mesenchymal–epithelial transition factor in estrogen receptor-negative breast carcinoma

Abstract

Background/aim Breast carcinoma is a worldwide, heterogeneous disease that affects even the young patient population. The receptor tyrosine kinase mesenchymal–epithelial transition factor (c-Met) is suggested to be associated with reduced survival in cases of breast cancer. Few studies have specifically addressed the association between the c-Met and molecular subtype of breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the c-Met expression in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancers with different subtypes and its relation to the standard prognostic indicators. Patients and methods We examined the expression of c-Met in triple-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 enriched (i.e. ER-negative) breast cancers. Sixty formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast cancer surgical specimens were studied by immunohistochemistry. Prognostic indicators were analyzed with Cox models adjusted for clinical and pathological factors. Results Sixty-nine percent of cases were positive for Met. The reported mean Remmele score was 7.80±4.32. A significant positive correlation was observed between the tumor type, nodal status, multicentricity, and ductal carcinoma in situ (P<0.05). However, correlation with the Remmele score was borderline as regards the grade (P=0.065) and lymphovascular invasion (P=0.059). Conclusions Most of ER-negative breast carcinomas showed median to maximum Met expression and were associated with worse prognostic factors. So it can be used as a prognostic marker.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• mesenchymal–epithelial transition factor receptor
• targeted therapy
• triple-negative breast cancer