Study of expression and correlation of R-Ras, PR and ER in breast cancer

Purpose To investigate the expression of small G protein R-Ras in breast cancer and to explore the significance of R-Ras, expression in the carcinogensis and development of breast carcinoma, and we also analysed the correlation of R-Ras expressions with ER, PR. Methods Real time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RQ-RT-PCR) technique was applied for detecting R-Ras expression. The ER, PR were determined by immunohistochemistry, The relationship of clinical and biological parameters was also discussed. Results The expression of R-ras mRNA of breast carcinoma was lower than that of noncancerous tissue (P <; 0.0001), showing a significant difference to normal breast tissue. R-Ras expression was related to PR expression level (P <; 0.05) and was not related to ER expression level (P>0.05). Conclusion The lower-expression of R-Ras in breast cancer might be a useful parameter as an indication of tumor prognosis. The expression of R-Ras gene in the breast carcinoma probably implies a better prognosis. R-Ras may play important role in the expression level of PR in breast cancer.