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Promoter methylation status and expression of estrogen receptor alpha in familial breast cancer patients

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Tumor Biology

Abstract

The hypermethylation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) promoter is a common molecular alteration in sporadic breast cancer (BC), but its involvement in familial BC remains largely unknown. In the present study, we analyzed the methylation statuses of four regions (ER1, ER3, ER4, and ER5) of the ERα promoter and the ERα expression levels of 113 familial BC patients in a Han Chinese Population from northeastern China and evaluated the association between major clinicopathological features and the hypermethylation statuses of the ERα gene. Tumor samples were analyzed for ERα methylation status by the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction for ERα, PR, p53, BRCA-1, and BRCA-2 by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and for Her-2 status by IHC and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). ERα methylation was observed in tumor tissues in 47/113 (41.6%) familial BC patients. There were no significant differences in the methylation statuses among ER1 (20.4%), ER3 (18.6%), ER4 (17.7%), and ER5 (19.5%; χ 2 = 3.89, p > 0.05). An association between ERα expression level and its promoter methylation level was found. In addition, ERα methylation was significantly correlated with tumor size, PR expression, p53 nuclear accumulation, and BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 statuses. In conclusion, in familial BC patients, the level of ERα gene promoter methylation correlates with ERα expression, PR, p53 nuclear accumulation, and BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 statuses. Epigenetic alteration of ERα gene may play an important role in the pathogenesis of familial BC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Breast Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Research Unit of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, China

    Jing Wei, Xiao-yun Mao, Fan Yao & Feng Jin

  2. Department of First Minimal Invasive Surgery and Bile Duct and Vascular Surgery, Sheng Jing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110003, China

    Bing Han

  3. Department of Pharmacology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, China

    Min-jie Wei

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  1. Jing Wei
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  2. Bing Han
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Correspondence to Feng Jin.

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Wei, J., Han, B., Mao, Xy. et al. Promoter methylation status and expression of estrogen receptor alpha in familial breast cancer patients. Tumor Biol. 33, 413–420 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-011-0234-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-011-0234-x

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