Expression of Vimentin as a Marker of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Invasive Breast Carcinoma: A Hospital Based Study
Manushree Saxena, Bhagyashri R. Hungund, Kumar Vinchurkar
A
BSTRACT
Background:
Breast cancer stands as one of the leading cancers among women in the world. Many studies have been done to understand cancer progression and metastasis in breast cancers. EMT is one such process that is known to be reactivated in tumor progression. Numerous biomarkers have been used to demonstrate EMT including vimentin, which is a mesenchymal marker. Its aberrant expression is seen in multiple carcinomas and studies have shown its significant role in the process of EMT in breast cancers.
Objectives:
This study aimed to analyze vimentin expression as a marker of EMT in invasive breast carcinomas and investigate any possible association between vimentin expression and clinicopathological parameters including histological grading and immunohistochemical expression of ER, PR, Her2, and Ki67.
Methods:
It is a hospital based observational study. A total of 60 breast carcinoma cases diagnosed during September 2022 to December 2023 were included in this study. Slides stained with H and E, and immunohistochemically for vimentin were evaluated for histopathological examination. Results were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis.
Results:
The study showed vimentin expression was significantly positive in high grade tumors (
Conclusion:
The study shows positive vimentin expression is associated with aggressive nature of the tumors and TNBC subtype. These findings may direct towards exploring vimentin as a anticancer targeted therapy.