Copy number and expression analysis of FOSL1, GSTP1, NTSR1, FADD and CCND1 genes in primary breast tumors with axillary lymph node metastasis.

In breast cancer, lymph node (LN) metastasis is one of the strongest prognostic factors at diagnosis. Therefore the identification of molecular markers with metastatic potential that promote the development of LN metastasis is of critical clinical relevance. In this study, we evaluated the copy number status of the FOSL1, GSTP1, NTSR1, FADD and CCND1 genes by TaqMan assays in 137 breast cancer patients, 84 with LN metastasis (LN+) and 53 with no LN metastasis (LN-).

Increased copy number of the DLX4 homeobox gene in breast axillary lymph node metastasis.

DLX4 is a homeobox gene strongly implicated in breast tumor progression and invasion. Our main objective was to determine the DLX4 copy number status in sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis to assess its involvement in the initial stages of the axillary metastatic process. A total of 37 paired samples of SLN metastasis and primary breast tumors (PBT) were evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and array comparative genomic hybridization assays.