Expressed N-acetyltransferase as a possible new prognostic marker for bladder and breast cancer

Abstract

The N-acetyltransferase (NAT) phenotype is an important biochemical marker of individual susceptibility to occupational bladder cancer. N- acetyltransferases are known to metabolize aromatic amine bladder carcinogens, but the functional significance of NAT expression in the target organ is unclear. Previous studies reported that rapid activation of NAT2 is directly associated with increased breast cancer risk. In the present study, we investigated the expression of N-acetyltransferases in blood of bladder and breast cancer patients aiming to evaluate its significance, as a possible new prognostic marker. For this issue, 30 bladder cancer patients and 30 breast cancer patients were investigated pre and postcystectomy and mastectomy before and after the operation using a Western blot technique for determinating the expressed N-acetyltransferases (NAT1 and NAT2). Our results revealed a marked decrease of both NATs in preoperative cases rather than in postoperative cases of bladder cancer. Also this decrease in expression is more pronounced as the grade of the disease increased. On the other hand, no differences were observed in the expression of N-acetyltransferases in cases of breast cancer patients whether pre or postmastectomy. These data are encouraging for continuing the research on a large scale, which may drive us to use NATs as new prognostic marker for bladder cancer.

Publication Title

Cancer Molecular Biology

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS