TY - JOUR
T1 - Male Breast Cancer—Immunohistochemical Patterns and Clinical Relevance of FASN, ATF3, and Collagen IV
AU - André, Saudade
AU - Pinto, António E.
AU - Silva, Giovani L.
AU - Silva, Fernanda
AU - Serpa, Jacinta
AU - Félix, Ana
PY - 2021/4/8
Y1 - 2021/4/8
N2 - Background: Male breast carcinoma (male BC) is an uncommon neoplasia without individualized strategies for diagnosis and therapeutics. Low overall survival (OS) rates have been reported, mostly associated with patients’ advanced stage and older age. Intratumoral heterogeneity versus homogeneity of malignant epithelial cells seems to be an important factor to consider for the development of combination therapies with curative intention. Objective: In this preliminary study, we aim to provide valuable insight into the distinct clinicopathologic features of male BC. Material and methods: In a series of 40 male BC patients, we evaluated by immunohistochemistry androgen receptor; activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3); p16; cyclin D1; fatty acid synthase (FASN); fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1); β1, β3, β4, and β6 integrins; collagen I and collagen IV; and their interactions. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank tests were assessed for statistical analysis. Results: Homogeneous epithelial staining of p16, ATF3, β6 integrin, FASN, and FATP1 was found to be significantly intercorrelated, and associated with high Ki67. These markers also stained tumor stromal fibroblasts. The prognostic analysis showed statistically significant associations of FASN with disease-free survival (DFS) and OS, as well as of ATF3 with OS and collagen IV with DFS. Conclusions: This study highlights, as a novel finding, the relevance of FASN, ATF3, and collagen IV immunophenotypes, which may have innovative application in the clinical management of male BC.
AB - Background: Male breast carcinoma (male BC) is an uncommon neoplasia without individualized strategies for diagnosis and therapeutics. Low overall survival (OS) rates have been reported, mostly associated with patients’ advanced stage and older age. Intratumoral heterogeneity versus homogeneity of malignant epithelial cells seems to be an important factor to consider for the development of combination therapies with curative intention. Objective: In this preliminary study, we aim to provide valuable insight into the distinct clinicopathologic features of male BC. Material and methods: In a series of 40 male BC patients, we evaluated by immunohistochemistry androgen receptor; activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3); p16; cyclin D1; fatty acid synthase (FASN); fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1); β1, β3, β4, and β6 integrins; collagen I and collagen IV; and their interactions. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank tests were assessed for statistical analysis. Results: Homogeneous epithelial staining of p16, ATF3, β6 integrin, FASN, and FATP1 was found to be significantly intercorrelated, and associated with high Ki67. These markers also stained tumor stromal fibroblasts. The prognostic analysis showed statistically significant associations of FASN with disease-free survival (DFS) and OS, as well as of ATF3 with OS and collagen IV with DFS. Conclusions: This study highlights, as a novel finding, the relevance of FASN, ATF3, and collagen IV immunophenotypes, which may have innovative application in the clinical management of male BC.
KW - gynecomastia
KW - immunohistochemistry
KW - Male breast carcinoma
KW - molecular markers
KW - prognosis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85104246794&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/11782234211002496
DO - 10.1177/11782234211002496
M3 - Article
C2 - 33888988
AN - SCOPUS:85104246794
VL - 15
JO - Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research
JF - Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research
M1 - 11782234211002496
ER -
