Prognostic Relevance of AGR2 Expression in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Purpose:We aimed to evaluate the expression of the human anterior gradient-2 (AGR2) in breast cancer on RNA and protein level and to correlate it with clinicopathologic data, including patient survival. Experimental Design: AGR2 mRNA expression was assessed by reverse transcription-PCR in 25 breast cancer samples and normal tissues. A polyclonal rabbit AGR antiserum was used for immunohistochemistry on 155 clinicopathologically characterized cases. Statistical analyses were applied to test for prognostic and diagnostic associations. Results: Immunohistochemical detection of AGR2 was statistically significantly associated with positive estrogen receptor status and lower tumor grade. AGR2-positive tumors showed significantly longer overall survival times in univariate analyses. For the subgroup of nodal-negative tumors, an independent prognostic value of AGR2 was found. Conclusions: The expression of AGR2 in breast cancer is strongly associated with markers of tumor differentiation (estrogen receptor positivity, lower tumor grade). A prognostic effect of AGR2 for overall survival could be shown, which became independently significant for the group of nodal-negative tumors.

Proteomic Analysis of Potential Breast Cancer Biomarkers

“…As such, these proteins might have the potential to be putative breast cancer markers. As expected, some well-known breast cancer markers, such as 14-3-3 proteins (Danes et al, 2008), annexins (Cao et al, 2008a), calmodulin (Gallo et al, 2008), anterior gradient homolog 2 (AGR-2) (Zweitzig et al, 2007;Fritzsche et al, 2006), Galectin-1 (Jung et al, 2007) and Rho-associated protein kinase-2 (ROCK2) (Fu et al, 2008b), were also identified in this 2D-DIGE experiment, lending credence to the reliability of early phase biomarker detection using this experimental strategy. Fig.…”

Anterior gradient 2 downregulation in a subset of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a prognostic factor indicative of epithelial–mesenchymal transition

“…36 In contrast, another reported that increased AGR2 expression was correlated with poorer outcome in prostate cancer. 13 Similar controversy regarding the prognostic value of AGR2 expression has been observed in breast cancer; with AGR2 upregulation associated with favorable prognosis in one study, 37 and with poor prognosis in another independent analysis. 11 Previous studies of PDAC did not identify a correlation between AGR2 expression and prognosis.…”

Expression of AGR2 in pituitary adenomas and its association with tumor aggressiveness

“…In the present study, the expression profile was detected in 117 PA tissues of different histological subtypes for the first time. Aberrant AGR2 expression has been reported in primary breast, lung and prostate carcinomas (14)(15)(16)(17). AGR2 overexpression in breast epithelial cell lines results in the development of metastases in an animal model (18).…”