Association of Matricellular Protein, Growth Factor, and Transcription Factor with Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer: A Case Control Study

Marwa Munther Homman, Department of clinical laboratory sciences, college of pharmacy, university of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq.Follow
Eman Tariq Ali, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq.Follow
Maitham Ali Alrikabi, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq.Follow

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease comprising molecular subtypes such as Luminal A, Luminal B, Human Epidermal Growth Factor 2 (HER-2)-Enriched, and Triple Negative, each with distinct clinical, molecular, and immunological features. Immunological markers play a critical role in modulating tumor behavior, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. Aim: This study aimed to identify key immunological markers that correlate with the molecular (intrinsic) subtypes of breast cancer and to explore their potential as prognostic factors. Methods: Serum samples from 180 breast cancer patients (56 untreated and 74 treated) were analyzed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to determine the levels of four immunological biomarkers, including Cellular Communication Network Factor 6/WNT 1 Inducible Signaling Pathway Protein (CCN6/WISP3), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A), Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB p65), and Cancer Antigen CA15-3. Demographic data and clinical parameters were collected using questionnaires. Results: Compared to the controls, patients with breast cancer exhibited significantly elevated levels of VEGF-A, NF-κB p65, and CA15-3, alongside decreased CCN6 levels (P < 0.05). At the molecular subtype level, HER2-enriched tumors showed the highest concentrations of CCN6 and VEGF-A, while elevated NF-κB p65 and CA15-3 levels were noted in Luminal B tumors, indicating the lowest CCN6 concentration in triple-negative tumors. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the roles of CCN6, VEGF, NF-κB p65, and CA15-3 as reliable biomarkers for distinguishing between molecular subtypes and suggests their potential as prognostic indicators.

Keywords

Breast cancer, molecular subtypes, CCN6, VEGF-A, NF-κB, P65, CA 15-3

Recommended Citation

Homman, Marwa Munther; Tariq Ali, Eman; and Ali Alrikabi, Maitham (2026) "Association of Matricellular Protein, Growth Factor, and Transcription Factor with Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer: A Case Control Study," Iraqi National Journal of Medicine: Vol. 8 : Iss. 1 , Article 24.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.37319/iqnjm.8.1.18