Study of GATA-3 Expression in Breast Carcinoma in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India

Background: Transcription factor GATA-3 is a relatively new and specific biomarker for breast carcinoma that regulates luminal cell differentiation. However, further studies that elucidate its role and diagnostic utility in primary breast cancer are required. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess GATA-3 expression in primary breast carcinoma and determine its association with various known prognostic and predictive factors of breast carcinoma. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study where 110 breast carcinoma cases were examined histologically on H&E stained slides for routine parameters such as tumor morphological type and histologic grade. ER/PR/Her-2-neu/ki67 and GATA-3 expression was determined using immunohistochemistry. All cases were assessed to determine the association of GATA-3 with different established clinicopathological characteristics in breast cancer such as patient age, axillary lymph node status, tumor grade, lymphovascular invasion, molecular subtype, etc. The results were statistically analyzed and P value < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: Overall, 97 cases (88.1%) expressed GATA-3 which was significantly associated with most of the established clinico-pathological parameters like family history of breast cancer, tumor size and histology grade, lymph node and margin status, presence of lymphovascular invasion and carcinoma in-situ component. GATA-3 expression was also significantly associated with ER/PR/HER2neu/ki67 expression. Conclusion: GATA-3 expression is significantly associated with the different established prognostic parameters of breast cancer. Therefore, it may be considered as a relevant marker in primary breast carcinoma more routinely. Further studies of GATA-3 in breast cancer may refine prognostic models, predict clinical outcomes, and modify treatment guidelines in future.

Study of GATA-3 Expression in Breast Carcinoma in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India Keywords:

breast carcinoma , GATA-3 , immunohistochemical marker