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Aims and backgroundThis study aims to detect the expression of E-selectin in tissue and the serum level of its soluble form in patients with primary breast cancer and benign breast tumors and to correlate the results with the clinicopathological data of the subjects.MethodsFifty participants were included in the study and stratified into 3 subgroups. Group A comprised 30 patients with primary breast cancer, group B 9 patients with benign breast tumors, and group C 11 healthy control women undergoing reduction mammoplasty. E-selectin gene expression was investigated in breast tissues by PCR techniques and soluble E-selectin was measured in sera by ELISA.ResultsThe E-selectin gene was expressed in 73.3% of group A, 44.4% of group B and 9.1% of group C. It was expressed in 61.5% of patients with grade 2 breast cancer and in 82.4% of patients with grade 3 breast cancer. E-selectin gene expression was detected in 60%, 73.3% and 100% of patients with stage II, III and IV tumors, respectively. It was detected in 81.8% of patients with node-positive primary breast cancer and in 50% of patients with node-negative cancer. PCR in situ hybridization was done to locate the site of E-selectin expression. E-selectin was found on the membranes of peritumoral endothelial cells while it was not found on breast epithelial cells. Serum levels of soluble E-selectin were significantly elevated in group A compared to groups B and C ( P <0.001). They increased significantly with increasing breast cancer stage ( P <0.001) and were significantly higher in patients with lymph node involvement than in patients without node involvement ( P <0.001).ConclusionsThe studied marker showed associations with established prognostic parameters such as lymph node involvement and histological tumor grade. Further studies are needed to evaluate E-selectin as a possible target for antimetastat-ic therapy through modulation of the expression of the cell adhesion molecule. E-selectin can be regarded as a promising strategy in improving tumor therapy.