Expression of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Protein in Human Breast Cancer

Background & Objectives: Anaplastic lymphoma Kinase (ALK) is a tyrosine kinase receptor involved in the genesis of several human cancers. We aimed to examine ALK expression in different types of breast cancers and its relationship with tumor grade, tumor size, presence of necrosis, vascular invasion, skin involvement and lymph node metastasis. Material & Methods: We examined a number of human breast cancers to see if ALK is expressed in this tumor and studied its relation with type of carcinoma and its grade, tumor size, presence of necrosis, vascular invasion, skin involvement, lymph node metastasis and patient’s age. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 15.0. Result: Totally, 100 patients were enrolled with mean age of 50.2 ± 12.5 yr. The histological phenotypes of the breast cancers studied included invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma and medullary carcinoma. ALK expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry which was positive in 47 cases (47%). No statistically significant relationship was found between the above mentioned parameters except for tumor size and ALK expression. Conclusion: Anti-ALK protein drugs can be considered as a new therapeutic approach for breast cancer.