Background/aim: Limited data exist on the expression pattern of TNFAIP3/A20, as assayed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), in breast cancer tissues. This study aimed to assess A20 expression pattern in breast cancer.
Materials and methods: The expression of A20 was analysed using IHC in 50 breast cancer cases retrieved from the Sharjah Breast Cancer Center at the University Hospital Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Omics survival data were also used to analyse its association with survival in endocrine-treated subgroups.
Results: A20 expression in breast cancer tissues was 'tumor-specific', and as compared to normal tissue areas, its expression was associated with both intensity and extent in early grade 1 (p<0.0001) in all molecular subtypes. In addition, using omics survival data from a cohort of 3,520 breast cancer patients, we showed that A20 overexpression associated with lower overall survival rate in the endocrine treated subgroups [hazard ratio (HR)=2.14, 95%CI=1.61-2.82, p<0.0001].
Conclusion: A20 can serve as a biomarker for early diagnosis of breast cancers.
Keywords: TNFAIP3/A20; breast cancer; early biomarker; immunohistochemistry; survival; triple negative.
Copyright © 2021 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.