MULTIPLEX REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION-POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION ASSESSMENT OF SIALYLTRANSFERASE EXPRESSION IN HUMAN BREAST-CANCER

dIncreased sialylation, especially involving the Sialyl-Lewis(a) and S ialyl-Lewis(x) determinants, has been reported in breast cancer. A mul tiplex reverse transcription-PCR method was used here to determine the expression of five sialyltransferases (ST3Gal III, ST6Gal I, ST3Gal I V, ST3Gal I, and ST3Gal II) in 49 patients surgically treated for loco regional breast cancer. We assessed the relationship between these exp ressions and clinical, pathological, and biological features. The most expressed sialyltransferase was ST3Gal III, which is involved in Sidy l-Lewis(a) synthesis. ST3Gal III expression was positively correlated to ST6Gal I and ST3Gal IV expressions, to tumor size, and to the numbe r of involved axillary nodes. Patients with high ST3Gal III expression had a shorter overall survival. High ST6Gal I expression was associat ed with histoprognostic grade III. ST6Gal I expression was negatively correlated to expression of progesterone receptor. In conclusion, high ST3Gal III and ST6Gal I expressions in human breast tumors are associ ated with poor prognosis markers.