Comparative analysis of the quantity of Retinoic acid-induced protein 3 (rai3) between triple and non triple negative breast carcinomas among Ghanaian women

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June 2016
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Introduction Retinoic acid-induced protein3 (RAI3) belongs to the family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). It is expressed in normal human tissue and is also likely to play an important role in breast cancer cell proliferation although the exact mechanism remains unclear. This study of RAI3 was carried out to provide evidence of its expression on breast cancer cells as well as normal breast tissues and also to compare its expression in breast cancer based on their hormone receptor status. Methods Women of all ages visiting the Breast Clinic for the first time following the development of a self-detected breast condition, and upon further suspicion by the medical doctor through clinical examination were recruited in this research. A total of 100 women formed the study population. Tru cut biopsies were performed by surgeons and ER, PR and Her 2 immunohistochemistry was performed on the formalin fixed paraffin embedded breast cancer tissues. RAI3 immunohistochemistry was performed on some selected triple negative, estrogen receptor positive as well as normal breast tissues. Results The mean age was 48.15 with the youngest age being 26 and the oldest age of 78. Estrogen receptor positive and triple negative breast tumours accounted for 44.18% and 43.02% respectively. A total of 36 tissue blocks were analysed for RAI3 expression and they showed various expression levels of RAI3.The immunohistochemical staining of normal and breast cancer cells with anti RAI3 antibody revealed the presence of RAI3 in both the cytoplasm and the cell membrane making it a potential biomarker and a therapeutic target. Very low levels were found in normal tissues. Higher expressions of RAI3 were found more in triple negative than non-triple negative. The mean iii immunoreative score (IRS) in TNBC was 6.3 as compared to the entire non-TNBC which was 4.2 There was however no significant statistical relationship between RAI3 expression and ER (P=0.228) PR (P=0.732) and Her2 (P=0.758) status. Conclusion This study confirms the expression of retinoic acid induced protein 3 (RAI3), in some selected normal, triple negative, and non-triple negative breast tissues at different Intensities. To the best of knowledge of this investigator this is the first analysis of RAI3 being carried out at the protein level among indigenous black people, albeit involving small sample size. There is clearly the need to work on a large cohort of normal breast tissues as well as different malignant tissues among indigenous black people and other race to better understand the role this protein plays in breast cancer growth and its potential use as a biomarker and a novel therapeutic option in the management and treatment of breast cancer.
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A thesis submitted to the Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Health Sciences, in fulfillment of a Master of Philosophy Degree in Immunology.
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