Clinical utility of certain biomarkers as predictors of breast cancer with or without metastasis among Egyptian females

Tumour Biol. 2015 Feb;36(2):815-22. doi: 10.1007/s13277-014-2689-z. Epub 2014 Oct 9.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to explore and correlate the value of certain biomarkers in breast cancer (BC) females with and without metastasis after undergoing the surgical treatment protocol in the National Cancer Institute in Egypt. Thirty females (33-69 years), diagnosed as early breast cancer patients with or without metastasis, and 20 healthy individuals were selected for this study. The biomarkers under investigation were vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8). The correlation between these markers and the tumor grade was also evaluated. The results revealed a significant increase (p < 0.0001) in VEGF, CRP, IL-6, and IL-8 in breast cancer patients with or without metastasis as compared to the healthy group. Surgical treatment of metastatic BC females showed a significant reduction of those parameters by variable degrees, whereas BC females without metastasis recorded the most inhibition levels. Also, there was positive correlation (p < 0.0001) between those biomarkers and the tumor grades. We also noticed an association between VEGF and IL-8 as well as CRP and IL-6. In conclusion, the selected biomarkers may be beneficial for the prognosis of breast cancer and seem to be a diagnostic tool to differentiate between BC with or without metastasis. The descried surgical treatment protocol succeeded to attenuate the elevated biomarker levels and improve patient survival which deserves more extensive studies.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • C-Reactive Protein / genetics*
  • Egypt
  • Female
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-8 / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Prognosis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Interleukin-6
  • Interleukin-8
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • C-Reactive Protein