ST۶Gal۱, Cox-۲ and HB-EGF mRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Samples from Kashan, Iran

Background: ST۶Gal۱, Cox-۲ and HB-EGF genes are involved in different tumors and their enhanced expressions often correlate with poor prognosis. In this study we assay the expressions of these genes by reverse transcriptase-PCR in ۵۴ breast cancer samples.Methods: Tissue samples were either formalin-fixed for histopathological examination or frozen for reverse transcriptase-PCR. Image program was used for the densitometry of the image of the gels and the expression of different genes was normalized with beta actin expression. The student's t-test and correlation matrix were used for data analyses.Results: We observed significantly higher expressions of ST۶Gal۱ (P= ۰.۰۴۰), Cox- ۲ (P= ۰.۰۰۱) and HB-EGF (P= ۰.۰۰۹) in the tumor region compared to the margin samples. A significant correlation was found between HB-EGF and Cox-۲ expression (P= ۰.۰۰۱). There was a positive correlation between total score, tumor size, histology grade and nuclear grade but there was a reverse correlation between age and tumor size, histology grade and total score. Conclusion: Expressions of ST۶Gal۱, Cox-۲ and HB-EGF in breast tumor samples in this and a number of other studies emphasize their role as important markers in breast cancer . The use of medications to inhibit either their individual expressions or the possible inhibition of all three genes may improve patient survival and prevent metastasis.