Elevated Serum Haptoglobin is Associated with Clinical Outcome in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Breast cancer is the most common malignancy with the highest incidence rates among womenworldwide. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) disease is diagnosed more frequently in younger women, andis associated with a poor prognosis. Elevated levels of serum haptoglobin protein (Hp) are observed in manymalignant diseases including breast cancer. We evaluated the expression and prognostic value of Hp amongpatients with TNBC. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: Serum Hp levels were determined by Elisa in 41 patients withTNBC and 10 normal individuals. Hp status was correlated with other clinico-pathological parameters includingpatient survival. <br/><b>Results</b>: Of the 41 patients with TNBC, Hp over expression was detected in 24 (59%) by Elisa.Hp up-regulation was confirmed by Elisa based quantification in the serum of 41 TNBC patients against lowergrades and 10 normal individuals. Survival analysis revealed that Hp (p=2.016x10-5), stage (p=2.166x10-5), distantmetastasis (p=2.217x10-5), tumor size (p=1.053x10-5), and tumor grade (p=0.001), correlated with patient survivalon univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that Hp (p=0.001), and grade of the disease (p=0.008)were independent predictors of survival. <br/><b>Conclusion</b>: Our results indicate that serum levels of Hp may play arole as a potential serum biomarker and prognostic indicator among TNBC patients. Thus, Hp may presenta new promising prognostic biomarker in TNBC patients, but independent validations are now necessary forconfirmation.