Do cell surface trafficking impairments account for variable cell surface sodium iodide symporter levels in breast cancer?

S. J. Beyer, R. E. Jimenez, C. L. Shapiro, J. Y. Cho, S. M. Jhiang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Na+/I- symporter (NIS) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that mediates iodide uptake into thyroid follicular cells and serves as the molecular basis of radioiodine imaging and therapy for thyroid cancer patients. The finding that NIS protein is present in 80-90% of breast tumors suggests that breast cancer patients may also benefit from NIS-mediated radionuclide imaging and targeted therapy. However, only 17-25% of NIS-positive breast tumors have detectable radionuclide uptake activity. The discrepancy between NIS expression and radionuclide uptake activity is most likely contributed by variable cell surface NIS protein levels. Apart from the prevalent view that NIS cell surface trafficking impairments account for the variability, our current study proposes that differential levels of NIS expression may also account for variable cell surface NIS levels among breast tumors. We address the need to confirm the identity of intracellular NIS staining to reveal the mechanisms underlying variable cell surface NIS levels. In addition, we warrant a quantitative correlation between cell surface NIS levels and radionuclide uptake activity in patients such that the cell surface NIS levels required for radionuclide imaging can be defined and the defects impairing NIS activity can be recognized.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)205-212
Number of pages8
JournalBreast Cancer Research and Treatment
Volume115
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Glycoprotein
  • Iodide uptake
  • Radionuclide imaging and therapy
  • Sodium iodide symporter (NIS)

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