Overexpression of the MUC1 gene in Iranian women with breast cancer micrometastasis

Abstract

The membrane epithelial mucin MUC1 is expressed at the luminal surface of most simple epithelial cells, but expression is greatly increased in most breast cancers. The aims of present study were to investigate expression of the MUC1 gene and interactive affects in metastases. Whole cell RNA isolation from 50 sentinel lymph nodes (SNLs) of breast cancer patients was performed using reverse transcription and real-time PCR. All patients were diagnosed with breast cancer and without metastasis, confirmed by IHC staining. The evaluation of tumor and normal samples for expression of MUC1 gene, the results were 49.1% non-expressive and 45.3% expression (Student t, p = 0.03). Also in comparison of normal breast tissue and breast cancer SLN for MUC1 gene, MUC1 negative SLNs were 75.0% (18 samples) and MUC1 positive samples were 25.0% (6 samples). Over-expression of MUC1 gene may offer a target for therapy related to progression and metastasis in women with breast cancer.