Receptor activator of NF-kB (RANK) expression in primary tumors associates with bone metastasis occurrence in breast cancer patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Receptor activator of NFkB (RANK), its ligand (RANKL) and the decoy receptor of RANKL (osteoprotegerin, OPG) play a pivotal role in bone remodeling by regulating osteoclasts formation and activity. RANKL stimulates migration of RANK-expressing tumor cells in vitro, conversely inhibited by OPG.

Materials and methods

We examined mRNA expression levels of RANKL/RANK/OPG in a publicly available microarray dataset of 295 primary breast cancer patients. We next analyzed RANK expression by immunohistochemistry in an independent series of 93 primary breast cancer specimens and investigated a possible association with clinicopathological parameters, bone recurrence and survival.

Results

Microarray analysis showed that lower RANK and high OPG mRNA levels correlate wi

SUBMITTER: Santini D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3084800 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature