Open Access

EGFR expression is associated with cytoplasmic staining of CXCR4 and predicts poor prognosis in triple‑negative breast carcinomas

  • Authors:
    • Rong‑Hui Li
    • Wen‑He Huang
    • Jun‑Dong Wu
    • Cai‑Wen Du
    • Guo‑Jun Zhang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 12, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2016.5489
  • Pages: 695-703
  • Copyright: © Li et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the significance of C‑X‑C motif chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) in triple‑negative breast cancer (TNBC). CXCR4 and EGFR expression levels were immunohistochemically determined in 207 primary breast cancer specimens. The associations between receptor expression and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed, and receptor expression was also assessed as a prognostic factor. In the human MDA‑MB‑231 TNBC cell line, CXCR4 or EGFR was stably knocked down by short hairpin RNA, and the biological behavior of the cells, including migration, invasion and tumorigenesis, was investigated. The results revealed that TNBC was associated with younger age, higher histological grade and an aggressive phenotype. CXCR4 and EGFR were highly expressed in patients with TNBC, and those with high CXCR4 or EGFR expression exhibited an unfavorable prognosis in terms of disease‑free survival and overall survival. In MDA‑MB‑231 cells, the expression of CXCR4 protein was decreased following EGFR silencing, while CXCR4 knockdown also caused a decrease in EGFR protein levels. The migratory and invasive capabilities of MDA‑MB‑231 cells were decreased following the knockdown of CXCR4 or EGFR expression. A strong correlation between CXCR4 and EGFR expression was identified in patients with TNBC. The results suggest that elevated expression levels of these two receptors may serve as predictive factors for poor prognosis in patients with TNBC. In addition, tumor proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenesis are weakened in MDA‑MB‑231 cells following suppression of CXCR4 or EGFR expression. Therefore, EGFR and CXCR4 may be potential therapeutic targets for TNBC.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

February-2017
Volume 13 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Li RH, Huang WH, Wu JD, Du CW and Zhang GJ: EGFR expression is associated with cytoplasmic staining of CXCR4 and predicts poor prognosis in triple‑negative breast carcinomas. Oncol Lett 13: 695-703, 2017
APA
Li, R., Huang, W., Wu, J., Du, C., & Zhang, G. (2017). EGFR expression is associated with cytoplasmic staining of CXCR4 and predicts poor prognosis in triple‑negative breast carcinomas. Oncology Letters, 13, 695-703. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2016.5489
MLA
Li, R., Huang, W., Wu, J., Du, C., Zhang, G."EGFR expression is associated with cytoplasmic staining of CXCR4 and predicts poor prognosis in triple‑negative breast carcinomas". Oncology Letters 13.2 (2017): 695-703.
Chicago
Li, R., Huang, W., Wu, J., Du, C., Zhang, G."EGFR expression is associated with cytoplasmic staining of CXCR4 and predicts poor prognosis in triple‑negative breast carcinomas". Oncology Letters 13, no. 2 (2017): 695-703. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2016.5489