Wnt Signaling Pathway in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast: Relationship between β-Catenin, Disheveled and Cyclin D1 Expression

Vol. 73, No. 1-2, 2007

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 577 KB)

Laboratory Investigation

Wnt Signaling Pathway in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast: Relationship between -Catenin, Disheveled and Cyclin D1 Expression
Chandra P. Prasad^a, Siddhartha D. Gupta^b, Gayatri Rath^c, Ranju Ralhan^a

Departments of
^aBiochemistry and
^bPathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, and
^cDepartment of Anatomy, Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India

Address of Corresponding Author

Oncology 2007;73:112-117 (DOI: 10.1159/000120999)

Key Words

Wnt/-catenin pathway
Disheveled
Cyclin D1
Invasive ductal carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: The Wnt/ beta -catenin signaling cascade is an important signal transduction pathway in human cancers. Overexpression of beta -catenin and its downstream effector, cyclin D1, is implicated in malignant transformation and acquisition of an invasive tumor phenotype. This study aimed to determine the clinical significance of Wnt/ beta -catenin canonical pathway components in breast cancer. Methods: Expression of beta -catenin, disheveled (Dvl) and cyclin D1 was examined in invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) of the breast by immunohistochemical analysis. Results: Of the 98 IDCs analyzed, 30% of tumors displayed both nuclear and cytoplasmic staining of Dvl protein, while 52% showed nuclear localization. Loss of cell surface beta -catenin was observed in 66% of breast carcinomas, whereas nuclear expression was observed in 48% IDCs. Cyclin D1 overexpression was observed in 60% IDCs; 31/59 (53%) of these tumors showed nuclear expression of beta -catenin, suggesting upregulation of the canonical Wnt/ beta -catenin pathway. Our study demonstrates a significant association between nuclear localization of Dvl and beta -catenin (p < 0.01, OR = 15.8). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study showing an association between nuclear localization of Dvl and beta -catenin in IDCs and suggests the upregulation of Wnt/ beta -catenin pathway components, beta -catenin, Dvl and cyclin D1 in IDCs of the breast.

Author Contacts

Prof. Ranju Ralhan
Department of Biochemistry
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029 (India)
Tel. +91 11 2659 3478, Fax +91 11 2658 8663, E-Mail ralhanr@hotmail.com

Article Information

Received: March 13, 2007
Accepted after revision: October 8, 2007
Published online: March 13, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 38

Medline Abstract (ID 18337623)

Download Citation

Cited In

For non-native English speakers and international authors who would like assistance with their writing before submission, we suggest American Journal Experts for their scientific editing service.