Does SOX-2 expression have a prognostic value in triple-negative breast cancer?

Ismail Guzelis; Betul Bolat Kucukzeybek; Merve Gursoy; Yeliz Yilmaz; Yuksel Kucukzeybek

doi:10.5114/pjp.2025.149426

eISSN: 2084-9869
ISSN: 1233-9687

Polish Journal of Pathology

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1/2025
vol. 76

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abstract:

Original paper

Does SOX-2 expression have a prognostic value in triple-negative breast cancer?

Ismail Guzelis

¹

,

Betul Bolat Kucukzeybek

²

,

Merve Gursoy

³

,

Yeliz Yilmaz

⁴

,

Yuksel Kucukzeybek

⁵

Pathology Department, Izmir Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
Pathology Department, Izmir Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
Radiology Department, Izmir Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
General Surgery Department, Izmir Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
Medical Oncology Department, Izmir Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey

Pol J Pathol 2025; 76 (1): 1-9

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/pjp.2025.149426

Online publish date: 2025/04/11

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Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. At the cell of origin level, cancer stem cells (CSC) are the tumour initiators in breast cancer. SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX-2) is a CSC marker that plays a role in tumourigenesis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of SOX-2 expression with histopathological parameters and clinical outcomes in TNBC patients. The study included 95 TNBC cases. An in vitro diagnostic SOX-2 antibody was applied to the tumoural slides in a validated automated stainer.

The expression of SOX-2 was defined as a SOX-2 H-score ≥ 1. The expression of SOX-2 was observed in 29 cases (30.5%). At a median follow-up of 76 months, SOX-2 expression was not associated with overall or disease-free survival. R-based statistical analysis determined a SOX-2 H-score cut-off of 2. Although the overall and disease-free survival rates of cases with an H-score ≥ 3 were lower than the others, the differences were not statistically significant. The percentage of SOX-2 staining is typically low, as only 1% of tumour cells exhibit CSC characteristics.

In conclusion, the prognostic significance of SOX-2 could become clear in a larger group of TNBC patients using standardized methodologies.

keywords:

Does SOX-2 expression have a prognostic value in triple-negative breast cancer?

Ismail Guzelis 1 , Betul Bolat Kucukzeybek 2 , Merve Gursoy 3 , Yeliz Yilmaz 4 , Yuksel Kucukzeybek 5

breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, cancer stem cells, SOX-2

Ismail Guzelis

¹

,

Betul Bolat Kucukzeybek

²

,

Merve Gursoy

³

,

Yeliz Yilmaz

⁴

,

Yuksel Kucukzeybek

⁵