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YKL-40 protein expression is not a prognostic marker in patients with primary breast cancer

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Abstract

YKL-40 is a new biomarker in serum with a prognostic value in several localized and metastatic malignancies. The current knowledge regarding the biological functions of YKL-40 in cancer links YKL-40 to increased aggressiveness of the tumor. Utilizing tissue microarrays, YKL-40 protein expression in tumor tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 630 high-risk breast cancer patients with a median estimated potential follow-up time of 10 and 13 years for disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS), respectively. YKL-40 protein expression was found in malignant tumor cells and in inflammatory cells. High expression was associated with positive estrogen and progesterone receptor status and high tumor differentiation. Contrary to studies on serum YKL-40 as a prognostic biomarker, a high YKL-40 expression in tumor cells was not significantly associated with DSF and OS in univariate and multivariate analyses.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Hanife Dzaferi, Department of Pathology, Herlev University Hospital, for the skillful construction of TMAs and immunohistochemical staining of all samples. Stine Joergensen, Department of Pathology, Herlev University Hospital, is thanked for technical assistance with the immunostainings. Lise Lotte Thyme, Department of Pathology, Herlev University Hospital, is thanked for technical assistance with the double-labeling method. Keld B. Ottosen, The Panum Institute, is thanked for the final layout of Fig. 2. We also thank the Danish Departments of Oncology and Pathology for participating in collection of patient data and tumor samples. The study was supported by grants from The Astrid Thaysen Foundation, The Erichsen Family Foundation, Desirée and Niels Yde Foundation, and Vera and Carl Johan Michaelsen Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, Herlev University Hospital, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Anne Roslind & Dorte L. Nielsen

  2. Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark

    Ann S. Knoop

  3. Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Maj-Britt Jensen

  4. Department of Rheumatology, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Julia S. Johansen

  5. Department of Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA

    Paul A. Price

  6. Department of Pathology, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Eva Balslev

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  1. Anne Roslind
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  2. Ann S. Knoop
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  3. Maj-Britt Jensen
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  4. Julia S. Johansen
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  5. Dorte L. Nielsen
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  6. Paul A. Price
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  7. Eva Balslev
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Correspondence to Anne Roslind.

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Roslind, A., Knoop, A.S., Jensen, MB. et al. YKL-40 protein expression is not a prognostic marker in patients with primary breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 112, 275–285 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-007-9870-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-007-9870-7

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