Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the clinicopathological significance and expression pattern of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling molecules in breast normal glands and invasive ductal carcinoma.
Materials and methods
A total of 142 cases, including 21 of normal breast and 121 of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, were immunohistochemically analyzed for Ihh, Ptch, Smo, Gli-1, Gli-2, and Gli-3 protein expression.
Results
All of Hh signaling molecules were greatly enhanced in invasive ductal carcinoma compared with the normal breast epithelia. The expressions of Ihh, Smo, and Gli-2 were increased in PR negative cases, and the expressions of Ihh, Ptch, and Gli-1/2/3 were statistically correlated with increased proliferating index of Ki-67 in invasive ductal carcinoma. Ihh and Gli-1/2/3 expressions were correlated with node metastasis. Additionally, the protein expressions of Ihh, Ptch, and Gli-2 were correlated with the clinical stage of breast cancer.
Conclusions
Hedgehog signaling molecules play an important role in the progression of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by Program of New Century Talents in University (NCET-07-0734), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.30560047), and The Excellent Youth Scientific Study Fund of Jilin Province (No.20060103).
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Xuan, Y., Lin, Z. Expression of Indian Hedgehog signaling molecules in breast cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 135, 235–240 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-008-0451-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-008-0451-x