Assessment of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP levels in triple-negative breast cancer patients: clinical and pathological correlations.

OBJECTIVE

The primary goal of this study was to investigate the expressions of TUFT1 (Tuftelin) and Rac1-GTP in the cancerous tissues of individuals with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Additionally, we aimed to explore the correlation between TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions and examine the associations of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions with the clinical and pathological indicators of the patients.

METHODS

Ninety-six patients diagnosed with TNBC, scheduled for surgery between May 2022 and November 2022, were enrolled in this study. Cancerous tissue specimens were collected from these patients, and immunohistochemistry was employed to evaluate the levels of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions in the cancerous tissues. Subsequent to data collection, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions. Furthermore, we sought to assess the associations of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions with the clinical and pathological indicators of the patients.

RESULTS

The TUFT1 protein was expressed in both the membrane and cytoplasm of TNBC cancer cells, with notably higher expression observed in the cytoplasm. Rac1-GTP was primarily expressed in the cytoplasm. There was a positive correlation between the levels of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions (χ = 9.816, P < 0.05). The levels of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP protein expressions showed no correlation with patient age (χ = 2.590, 2.565, P > 0.05); however, they demonstrated a positive correlation with tumor size (χ = 5.592,5.118), histological grading (χ = 6.730, 5.443), and lymph node metastasis (χ = 8.221, 5.180) (all with a significance level of P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A significant correlation was identified between the levels of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions in the cancerous tissues of patients with TNBC, suggesting a close association with the progression of TNBC. The two molecules play significant roles in facilitating an early diagnosis and treatment of TNBC.