Changes of EGFR and SMC4 expressions in triple-negative breast cancer and their early diagnostic value

Abstract

Background: To explore the diagnostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and structural maintenance of chromosome protein 4 (SMC4) for triple-negative breast cancer. Methods: A total of 213 breast cancer patients were selected and divided into triple-negative breast cancer (100 cases) and non-triple-negative breast cancer (113 cases) according to the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Patient information including age, body mass index (BMI), smoking history, drinking history, menopause, tumor classification, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, clinical stage, and EGFR and SMC4 expression were collected for all subjects. Logistic regression analysis was then used to evaluate the risk factors for triplenegative breast cancer. The ROC curve was also used to evaluate the clinical value of EGFR and SMC4 in the diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that high expression of SMC4 and high expression of EGFR were both risk factors for triple-negative breast cancer, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.72 and 1.56, respectively (both P<0.05). ROC curve analysis results showed that the areas under the curve with high SMC4 expression and high EGFR expression for the diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer were 0.84 and 0.78, respectively. Conclusions: High expression of SMC4 and EGFR is significantly correlated with triple-negative breast cancer, and can be used as an auxiliary diagnostic indicator for triple-negative breast cancer.