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. 2010 Feb 2;102(3):462-8.
doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605511. Epub 2010 Jan 12.

Gene expression profiling identifies Fibronectin 1 and CXCL9 as candidate biomarkers for breast cancer screening

E Ruiz-Garcia  1 , V Scott, C Machavoine, J M Bidart, L Lacroix, S Delaloge, F Andre
Affiliations

Gene expression profiling identifies Fibronectin 1 and CXCL9 as candidate biomarkers for breast cancer screening

E Ruiz-Garcia et al. Br J Cancer. .

Abstract

Background: There is a need to develop blood-based bioassays for breast cancer (BC) screening. In this study, differential gene expression between BC samples and benign tumours was used to identify candidate biomarkers for blood-based screening.

Methods: We identified two proteins (Fibronectin 1 and CXCL9) from a gene expression data set that included 120 BC samples and 45 benign lesions. These proteins fulfil the following criteria: differential gene expression between cancer and benign lesion, protein released in the extracellular medium and stable in the serum, commercially available ELISA kit, ELISA accuracy in a feasibility study. Protein concentrations were determined by ELISA. Blood samples were from normal volunteers (n=119) and early BC patients (n=133).

Results: Seventy-three per cent of patients had cT1-T2 tumour. Patients had higher CXCL9 and Fibronectin 1 concentrations than volunteers. CXCL9 mean concentration was 851 and 635 pg ml(-1) for patients and volunteers respectively (P=0.013). CXCL9 concentration was significantly higher in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-negative compared with volunteers (P=0.003), data consistent with gene expression profile. Fibronectin 1 mean concentration was 190 microg ml(-1) for patients and 125 microg ml(-1) for volunteers (P<0.001). Areas under the curve for BC diagnosis were 0.78 and 0.62 for Fibronectin 1 and CXCL9 respectively. A combined score including Fibronectin 1 and CXCL9 dosages presented 53% of sensitivity and 98% of specificity. Similar performances were observed for ER-negative tumours.

Conclusions: This study suggests that Fibronectin 1/CXCL9 dosage in serum could screen a significant rate of BC, including ER-negative, and that differential gene expression analysis is a good approach to select candidate biomarkers to set up blood assays cancer screening.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Selection of the three candidate proteins for analyses of serum samples. (B) Gene expression levels for the five candidate genes in cancer and benign lesions.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Serum concentration of CXCL9 and Fibronectin 1 in cancer vs normal volunteers.
Figure 3
Figure 3
CXCL9 and Fibronectin 1 serum concentrations according to cancer status and ER expression.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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