Tilman D Rachner1,2,3, Sabine Kasimir-Bauer4, Andy Goebel5,6,7, Kati Erdmann7,8, Oliver Hoffmann4, Martina Rauner5,6,7, Lorenz C Hofbauer5,6,7, Rainer Kimmig4, Ann-Kathrin Bittner4. 1. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany. tilman.rachner@uniklinikum-dresden.de. 2. Center for Healthy Ageing, Department of Medicine III, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. tilman.rachner@uniklinikum-dresden.de. 3. German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany. tilman.rachner@uniklinikum-dresden.de. 4. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. 5. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany. 6. Center for Healthy Ageing, Department of Medicine III, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. 7. Department of Urology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. 8. National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a transmembrane protein that acts as a multifunctional non-tyrosine kinase receptor with an established role in development and immunity. NRP-1 also regulates tumor biology, and high expression levels of tissue NRP-1 have been associated with a poor prognosis. Recently, ELISA-based quantification of soluble NRP-1 (sNRP-1) has become available, but little is known about the prognostic value of sNRP-1 in malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured sNRP-1 in the serum of 509 patients with primary early breast cancer (BC) at the time of diagnosis using ELISA. RESULTS: Mean serum values of sNRP-1 were 1.88 ± 0.52 nmol/l (= 130.83 ± 36.24 ng/ml). SNRP-1 levels weakly correlated with age, and were higher in peri- and postmenopausal patients compared to premenopausal patients, respectively (p < 0.0001). Low levels of sNRP-1 were associated with a significant survival benefit compared to high sNRP-1 levels at baseline (p = 0.005; HR 1.94; 95%CI 1.23-3.06). These findings remained significant after adjustment for tumor stage including lymph node involvement, grading, hormone receptor, HER2 status, and age (p = 0.022; HR 1.78; 95%CI 1.09-2.91). CONCLUSION: Our findings warrant further investigations into the prognostic and therapeutic potential of sNRP-1 in BC.
BACKGROUND:Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a transmembrane protein that acts as a multifunctional non-tyrosine kinase receptor with an established role in development and immunity. NRP-1 also regulates tumor biology, and high expression levels of tissue NRP-1 have been associated with a poor prognosis. Recently, ELISA-based quantification of soluble NRP-1 (sNRP-1) has become available, but little is known about the prognostic value of sNRP-1 in malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured sNRP-1 in the serum of 509 patients with primary early breast cancer (BC) at the time of diagnosis using ELISA. RESULTS: Mean serum values of sNRP-1 were 1.88 ± 0.52 nmol/l (= 130.83 ± 36.24 ng/ml). SNRP-1 levels weakly correlated with age, and were higher in peri- and postmenopausal patients compared to premenopausal patients, respectively (p < 0.0001). Low levels of sNRP-1 were associated with a significant survival benefit compared to high sNRP-1 levels at baseline (p = 0.005; HR 1.94; 95%CI 1.23-3.06). These findings remained significant after adjustment for tumor stage including lymph node involvement, grading, hormone receptor, HER2 status, and age (p = 0.022; HR 1.78; 95%CI 1.09-2.91). CONCLUSION: Our findings warrant further investigations into the prognostic and therapeutic potential of sNRP-1 in BC.