Research

Caveolin-1 expression in benign and malignant lesions of the breast

Cornelia Liedtke¹ , Christian Kersting² , Horst Bürger³ , Ludwig Kiesel¹ and Pia Wülfing¹

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 33, 48149 Münster, Germany

²Gerhard Domagk Institute of Pathology, University of Münster, Domagstr. 17, 48149 Münster, Germany

³Institute of Pathology, Husener Str. 46 a 33098 Paderborn, Germany

author email corresponding author email

World Journal of Surgical Oncology 2007, 5:110doi:10.1186/1477-7819-5-110

Published:	3 October 2007

Abstract

Background

Caveolin-1 is thought to have an important impact on both signal transduction and mediation of intracellular processes. Furthermore, it has been suggested that Caveolin-1 may contribute to certain steps of carcinogenesis in various types of cancer. We examined the potential clinical relevance of Caveolin-1 in normal, benign and malignant breast tissue specimens.

Methods

Using tissue microarray (TMA) technology cases of invasive breast cancer, DCIS, benign breast disease (i.e. fibroadenoma, sclerosing adenosis, ductal hyperplasia and radial scar) and normal breast tissue were evaluated for Caveolin-1 expression. Immunohistochemical staining with an anti-Caveolin-1-antibody was performed. Staining intensity was quantified semiquantitatively. In invasive lesions staining results were correlated with clinical and pathological data.

Results

No Caveolin-1 expression was observed in epithelial cells of normal breast tissue (n = 5), benign breast disease (n = 295) and DCIS (n = 108). However, Caveolin-1 expression was found in 32 of 109 cases of invasive breast carcinomas (29.4%). Caveolin-1 expression in invasive breast cancer could neither be correlated with survival parameters such as overall or disease-free survival nor with established clinical and pathological markers.

Conclusion

In this study we demonstrated expression of Caveolin-1 in one third of invasive breast cancers. A significant increase in Caveolin-1 expression was observed comparing invasive breast cancer to both benign breast tissue and non-invasive breast cancer. Since inhibitors of Caveolin-1 signalling are available, targeting Caveolin-1 in breast cancer may represent a potential option for future breast cancer treatment.