Association of SOX2 expression with histopathological factors of invasive breast carcinoma in East Coast Malaysian women

Nor Hidayah, Abu Bakar and Wan Rohani, Wan Taib and Nasir, Mohamad (2020) Association of SOX2 expression with histopathological factors of invasive breast carcinoma in East Coast Malaysian women. International medical journal, 24 (3). pp. 401-409. ISSN 13412051

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Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and is a leading cause of cancerrelated mortality. The SOX2, having the ability of cancer stem cell self-renewal is responsible for the development of breast cancer. Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency and gene expression pattern of SOX2 and its association with clinicopathological factors in invasive breast cancer in East Coast Malaysian women. Material and methods: The SOX2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on 100 samples of histologically diagnosed cases of invasive breast carcinomas, with known ER, PR and HER2 status, retrieved over 4 years period from January 2012 to December 2015. Positive samples were subjected to fluorescent in-situ hybridisation to determine the gene expression pattern. Result: The SOX2 expression was detected in 6% of invasive breast carcinomas, and all these cases were due to gene amplification. There was a significant positive correlation with tumour recurrence (P<0.001), large tumour size (P<0.001), lymphovascular invasion (P=0.006) and lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). The SOX2 expression was not correlated with age group (P = 0.078), tumour grade (P = 0.465), ER positivity (P = 0.578), PR positivity (P = 0.578) or HER2 overexpression (P = 0.541). Conclusion: The SOX2 expression has a potential to be used as a prognostic marker in breast cancer in which the expression indicates potential for early recurrence and aggressive tumour behaviour. The SOX2 may also be considered as a target for immunotherapy to personalise the therapeutic strategies especially in preventing tumour recurrent.

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