Significance of survivin and Bcl-2 homologous antagonist/killer mRNA in detection of bone metastasis in patients with breast cancer

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of survivin and Bcl-2 homologous antagonist/killer (Bak) mRNA in the detection of patients with bone metastatic breast cancer. This study included 92 patients with breast carcinoma (54 non-metastatic and 38 bone metastatic) and 31 patients with benign breast lesions. Survivin in cell lysates was measured by ELISA while tissue Bak mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Survivin was significantly increased in bone metastatic breast cancer patients compared to non-metastatic cases or benign ones. Bak mRNA was markedly decreased in bone metastatic patients compared to non-metastatic ones, while significant expression of Bak mRNA was observed in bone metastatic cases compared to benign patients. High survivin level was associated with high grade, late stages and lymph node involvement, whereas low Bak mRNA was associated with late stages. Our data indicate that survivin and Bak mRNA were considerable markers for the identification of breast cancer patients with bone metastasis.