Expression and Clinical Significance of Artemin Protein in Triple-negative and Nontriple-negative Breast Cancer Tissues

Objective  To investigate the expression of Artemin protein in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and non-triple-negative breast cancer (non-TNBC) tissues, and to further explore its relationship with clinical pathology and the prognosis of tumor, to provide powerful evidence for judging biological behaviour and evaluating the prognosis.

Methods  According to the criteria, 240 cases of breast cancer (120 cases of TNBC, 120 cases of non-TNBC, respectively) were selected randomly and admitted to Cangzhou Central Hospital of Hebei Medical University from July 2005 to July 2009. The expression of Artemin was detected in tumor tissues. All data were analyzed using t test and chi-square test, and the survival of patients was analyzed using the life table and Kaplan-Meier curves. The COX proportional hazards model was also used for the prognosis.

Results  The positive expression rate of Artemin protein was 61.7％(148/240) . The positive rate of Artemin in TNBC tissues was higher than that in non-TNBC tissues 82.5%(99/120) vs. 41.0%(49/120) . The survival rates of 1-, 3-, 5-year in the groups of TNBC with positive Artemin, TNBC without Artemin, non-TNBC with positive Artemin, and non-TNBC without Artemin were 93.0%, 78.0%, 50.0% vs. 100.0%, 89.0%, 79.0% vs. 98.0%, 89.0%, 89.0% vs. 99.0%, 97.0%, 97.0%, respectively(P<0.05) .

Conclusion  Artemin is clearly expressed higher in TNBC than non-TNBC tissues, and is one of the important indicators for the prognosis of breast cancer, with great value for research.