QM-FISH analysis of the genes involved in the G1/S checkpoint signaling pathway in triple-negative breast cancer

Tumour Biol. 2014 Mar;35(3):1847-54. doi: 10.1007/s13277-013-1246-5. Epub 2013 Oct 5.

Abstract

This study was conducted to analyze copy number alterations (CNAs) of the genes involved in the G1/S checkpoint signaling pathway of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and to evaluate their clinical value in the prognosis of TNBC. Quantitative multi-gene fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to study CNAs of the genes involved in the G1/S checkpoint signaling pathway, including cyclin d1 (CCND1), c-Myc, p21, cell-cycle-checkpoint kinase 2 gene, p16, retinoblastoma (Rb1), murine double minute 2 (Mdm2) and p53, in 60 TNBC samples and 60 non-TNBC samples. In comparison with the non-TNBC samples, CNAs of the genes involved in the G1/S checkpoint signaling pathway were more frequently observed in the TNBC samples (p = 0.000). Out of a total of eight genes, six (CCND1, c-Myc, p16, Rb1, Mdm2, and p53) exhibited significantly different CNAs between the TNBC group and the non-TNBC group. Univariate survival analysis revealed that the gene amplification of c-Myc (p = 0.008), Mdm2 (p = 0.020) and the gene deletion of p21 (p = 0.004), p16 (p = 0.015), and Rb1 (p = 0.028) were the independent predictive factor of 5-year OS for patients with TNBC. Cox multivariate analysis revealed that the gene amplification of c-Myc (p = 0.026) and the gene deletion of p21 (p = 0.019) and p16 (p = 0.034) were independent prognostic factors affecting the 5-year OS for TNBC. CNAs of the genes involved in the G1/S checkpoint signaling pathway presented a higher rate of incidence in TNBC than in non-TNBC, which could indicate one of the molecular mechanisms for the specific biological characteristics of TNBC. The genes c-Myc, p21, and p16 were correlated with the prognosis of TNBC and therefore may have potential clinical application values in the prognostic prediction of TNBC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / genetics*
  • Female
  • G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints / genetics*
  • Gene Dosage
  • Genes, p16*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / mortality

Substances

  • CDKN1A protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • MYC protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc