RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Increased Expression of Follistatin in Breast Cancer Reduces Invasiveness and Clinically Correlates with Better Survival JF Cancer Genomics - Proteomics JO Cancer Genomics Proteomics FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 241 OP 251 VO 14 IS 4 A1 CATHERINE ZABKIEWICZ A1 JEYNA RESAUL A1 RACHEL HARGEST A1 WEN GUO JIANG A1 LIN YE YR 2017 UL http://cgp.iiarjournals.org/content/14/4/241.abstract AB Background/Aim: Activin and its antagonist follistatin (FST) have been implicated in several solid tumours. This study investigated the role of FST in breast cancer. Materials and Methods: FST expression was examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry in a cohort of breast cancer samples. Expression was correlated to pathological and prognostic parameters in our patient cohort. FST was overexpressed in MCF-7 cells and assays for growth and invasion were performed. Results: FST is expressed in breast tissue, in the cytoplasm of mammary epithelial cells. Expression was decreased in breast cancer tissue in comparison to normal mammary tissue. Over-expression of FST in vitro led to significantly increased growth rate and reduced invasion. Higher FST associates with lower-grade tumours and better survival. Conclusion: Our results suggest a role for FST as a suppressor of invasion and metastasis in breast cancer.