Adipose tissue was considered an isolated storehouse of energy mobilized in fasting states. Our understanding of adipose tissue has changed dramatically and is now considered a fully functional endocrine organ that systematically regulates the body's metabolic homeostasis. Adipose tissue is now thought to be associated with cancer pathogenesis. Fat cells, regardless of the patient body mass index, are an important part of the microenvironment cells in which breast cancer (BC) develops. Breast adipocytes, when they interact with cancer cells, acquire a different phenotype, differentiate into prolipocytes, or differentiate into cancer-associated adipocytes and secrete adipokines that induce the invasive phenotype of cancer cells. Adipokines exert an independent and combined action in activating large intracellular signaling pathways involved in the proliferation, growth, survival, infiltration, and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Among the most prominent BC - associated adipokines according to current literature are Chimerin, Adiponectin, and Lipocalin 2. These agents, and the expression of their receptors in BC specimens, have been studied sporadically with only little yet credible data to support that they are associated with BC molecular status and obesity. In this Trial, we aim to assess for the expression of said adipokines in BC tissue specimens and investigate whether there is any systematic pattern of association with expression levels, molecular classification, obesity, 5-year survival, prognosis, and recurrence rates.
BC tissue specimens from surgically-treated patients of the past 7 years are extracted from the General University Hospital of Patras repository. These specimens are then stained according to standard immunohistochemical (IHC) staining protocols utilizing indirect immunofluorescence and amplification in order to target the Adiponektin, Chimerin, and Lipocalin receptors. The staining strength is then assessed by two independent Pathologists and any discrepancies between the scoring are resolved by a third senior Pathologist. IHC scoring is then assessed for associations with obesity, hormone status and survival parameters of the patients.
General University Hospital of Patras.
Has not received any funding.
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.