Caveolin-1 Gene, Hyaluronan and CA 15-3 as Potential Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Primary Breast Cancer

Abstract

Aims: Breast cancer (BC) is the greatest female malignancy and the leading causes of cancer death in the less developed countries. The determination of markers that help in diagnosis, prognosis, discovery of recurrence and metastasis is a valuable tool for management in BC patients. The present study aimed to provide insights about the role of Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) gene, hyaluronan (HA) and cancer antigen (CA) 15-3 in development and progression of BC, evaluate the possible correlations between these biomarkers and the clinico-pathological status of BC and compare between validity of these biomarkers with CA 15-3. Methodology: This case-control and cohort study included 49 female patients from the South Egypt Cancer Institute, Surgery Department, Assiut University, from December, 2013 to March, 2015 and 10 healthy controls with matched age and sex. The patients were divided into 4 groups, group I: Included 39 female patients with breast cancer before operation, group II: Included 17 women from group I followed for 6 months after operation, group III: Included 9 women from group I followed for 12 months after operation, group IV: Included 10 female patients with benign breast diseases. Cav-1 gene analysis was performed by thermal cycler PCR method. Estimation of serum HA and CA 15-3 by ELISA and related clinico-pathological features were assessed. Results: positive Cav-1 gene in 26 (66.7%) of 39 breast cancer patients was found. Benign and control groups were negative for the presence of the gene. Cav-1 gene was associated with larger tumor size (p<0.05), grade (p<0.05), advanced stage (p<0.01) and lymphovascular invasion (p<0.05).The mean serum levels of HA and CA 15-3 were significantly higher in BC women before operation when compared to benign and control groups. Patients after 6 and 12 months follow up showed a decrement of CA 15-3 levels. Also, HA levels were changed towards normalization, 6 months after treatment. Conclusion: presence of Cav-1 gene and high circulating HA, CA were significantly associated with breast carcinogenesis and metastasis.  Accordingly, estimation of these biomarkers may expect the breast disease behavior and its prognosis.