MTHFD2 Expression Profile and Its Prognostic Importance in Invasive Breast Carcinoma

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Therefore, it is very important to determine prognostic parameters and biomarkers related to these parameters. Recent studies have shown that folate metabolism is effective on cell division and invasiveness. One of the most important regulators of folate metabolism is the methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase enzyme (MTHFD2). Method:  This study, immunohistochemical staining with MTHFD2 was performed in 194 cases diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma. The relationship between the immunohistochemical expression of MTHFD2 in normal ductal areas and invasive tumoral areas of these cases and some clinicopathological parameters was investigated. Results: While no expression was observed in non-tumor areas with MTHFD2, varying degrees of expression were observed in all tumor areas (p<0.0001). Significant correlations were also observed between important clinicopathological and prognostic parameters such as MTHFD2 nuclear grade, hormonal receptor, Ki67 and etc. (all p<0.05). Conclusion: High MTHFD2 expression in breast carcinomas with invasive and poor prognostic values ​​was determined to be very significant. Therefore, it can be predicted that detecting and lowering MTHFD2 levels in these cases may prevent tumor development, invasion and metastasis. We think that more studies on the subject are needed, including the development of chemotherapeutics targeting MTHFD2.