Open AccessHigh levels of DJ ‐1 protein in nipple fluid of patients with breast cancer
Author(s) -
Oda Miki,
Makita Masujiro,
Iwaya Keiichi,
Akiyama Futoshi,
Kohno Norio,
Tsuchiya Benio,
Iwase Takuji,
Matsubara Osamu
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2012.02267.x
Subject(s) - breast cancer , carcinoembryonic antigen , immunohistochemistry , ductal carcinoma , nipple discharge , pathology , cytology , cancer , medicine , ca 15 3 , gastroenterology , ca15 3 , mammography
As we have previously demonstrated that some breast cancer cell lines secrete DJ‐1 protein, we examined here whether breast cancer cells secrete DJ‐1 protein in vivo . To this end, the levels of DJ‐1 protein present in 136 specimens of nipple fluid was examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The average concentration of DJ‐1 protein detected in diluted samples from 47 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) was 22.4 ng/m L , while it was 18.6 ng/m L in 26 patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In contrast, the average DJ‐1 concentration in samples from 63 women with benign lesions was 2.7 ng/m L , demonstrating that higher DJ‐1 protein levels were detected in nipple fluid in the presence of cancer cells than in the presence of benign lesions ( P < 0.0001). When a cut‐off level of 3.0 ng/m L was applied, the higher level of DJ‐1 was shown to be of significant clinical value for predicting the presence of breast cancer (85.9% specificity, 75% sensitivity; P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic analysis that included established factors such as nipple discharge cytology, ductoscopic cytology, and carcinoembryonic antigen level further showed that the level of DJ‐1 protein alone is of significant value for predicting the presence of breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization also showed that the low expression of DJ‐1 protein, despite high m RNA expression, was significantly correlated with high DJ‐1 protein levels in the nipple fluid. These data indicate that breast cancer cells secrete DJ‐1 protein in vivo , and that its level is a potential indicator of breast cancer in patients with nipple discharge. ( Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 1172–1176)