Differential Expression of Transferrin Receptor (TfR) in a Spectrum of Normal to Malignant Breast Tissues: Implications for In Situ and Invasive Carcinoma

摘要

Abstract: Transferrin receptor (TfR), a type II transmembra-nous receptor involved in iron uptake, is highly expressed in some cancers. We evaluated the expression of TfR in a spectrum of normal to malignant breast tissues to test the hypothesis that overexpression is associated with malignant transformation. Expression of TfR was studied by immunohistochemistry (CD71 -Antibody, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Fremont, CA) for percent positive cells (%) and intensity of staining (0 to 3 score) in normal (n = 127), benign (n = 172), potentially premalig-nant and in-situ carcinoma (n = 65), and invasive carcinoma (n = 38). Normal and benign lesions had significantly lower TfR expression compared with premalignant lesions (atypical hyper-plasia and carcinoma in situ) and invasive carcinoma (median %: 0, 10, 50, and 80, respectively; P< 0.0001).