NNAJI, FAITH CHINASAOKWU and Covenant University, Theses Masters (2024) BREAST TUMOR KINASE EXPRESSION AND ESTRADIOL LEVELS AMONG BREAST CANCER PATIENTS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA. Masters thesis, Covenant University.
![[img]](http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/style/images/fileicons/application_pdf.png) |
PDF
Download (172kB) |
Abstract
Cancer is a major factor in global death rates and a significant challenge to improving life expectancy worldwide. Breast cancer (BC), typified by the unregulated growth of abnormal cells within breast tissue, arises from a combination of genetic mutations, environmental factors, hormonal influences, and lifestyle choices. Studies have shown that the presence of Breast tumor kinase (BRK) gene overexpression results in increased BC cell proliferation and enhanced cell migration. Studies have also revealed that the dysregulation of estrogen (a hormone responsible for the proliferation and growth of specific cells in the body, which is also responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in women) modulates some molecular signaling pathways involved in breast tumor growth and progression. This observational study aims to evaluate the expression levels of BRK and estradiol levels in BC patients as a prognostic marker in breast tumorigenesis in Nigerian patients. A total of forty women, 20 BC patients who had been histologically diagnosed, and 20 healthy control participants were recruited for this study after informed consent was obtained. Venous blood samples (5ml) were drawn from the study participants into anticoagulant tubes and transported to the molecular biology laboratory for analysis. Total RNA was extracted using the TRIzol reagent method. RNA concentration, integrity, and purity were analyzed using a NanoDrop spectrophotometer. cDNA synthesis and quantitative analysis of the relative expression levels of BRK were done using a Reverse transcriptase real-time qPCR machine. From the estradiol, 25ul plasma was used for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detection of estradiol according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Overall, mean BRK expression levels in BC was significantly higher (1.6 folds higher) than the expression levels of BRK in healthy control (P < 0.05). Mean estradiol level in BC vs healthy control was 330 ± 27.42 and 309 ± 27.41 pg/mL, showing no significant difference in estradiol levels between the 2 groups. For the first time, this study reports BRK expression levels in Nigerian BC and healthy control and identified BRK as a prognostic marker for monitoring BC progression, thereby providing a suitable target for aggressive cancers common in Nigerian population. This study provides deeper insights into genetic contribution to cancer progression and a biomarker guide for treatment modalities.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | BRK, Breast cancer, Nigeria, aggressive, estradiol |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QD Chemistry Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Chemistry Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences |
| Depositing User: | nwokealisi |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Sep 2024 11:29 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Sep 2024 11:29 |
| URI: | http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/18438 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
