CLINCIOPATHOLOGICAL VALUE OF SOX10 EXPERSSION IN TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CARCINOMA. A COMPHEHENSIVE REVIVEW

Abstract

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a biologically heterogeneous subtype of breast cancer characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2/neu amplification. TNBC poses significant therapeutic and prognostic challenges due to its aggressive nature, high recurrence rates, and limited targeted treatment options. SOX10, initially identified as a neural crest marker, has emerged as a potential biomarker with diagnostic and prognostic value in TNBC. Understanding its role could provide insights into tumor biology and therapeutic approaches.

Objective: This review aims to evaluate the clinicopathological significance of SOX10 expression in TNBC by synthesizing data from recent studies to understand its diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications in diverse patient populations.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted of studies published up to June 2024 from databases including PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Keywords such as "breast carcinoma," "SOX10," and "triple-negative breast cancer" were used. Inclusion criteria were original studies from 2018 to 2024, investigating SOX10 expression using immunohistochemical (IHC) methods and its association with clinical features and prognosis in TNBC. Review articles, expert opinions, case studies, duplicates, letters, and animal studies were excluded. A total of 28 studies involving 3,178 TNBC cases were included in the final analysis.

Results: Among the 3,178 TNBC cases, 1,796 (56.51%) were SOX10 positive, while 1,382 (43.48%) were negative. Analysis of 17 studies involving 1,987 Caucasian cases showed 1,226 (61.7%) were SOX10 positive, and 761 (38.3%) were negative. In contrast, 11 studies with 1,191 Asian cases revealed 570 (47.81%) SOX10 positivity and 621 (52.19%) negativity. SOX10 positivity was associated with aggressive tumor behavior, including higher tumor grade and lymph node involvement, suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker.

Conclusion: SOX10 is a promising biomarker for TNBC, with significant diagnostic and prognostic implications across diverse populations. The observed racial differences in SOX10 expression underscore the importance of incorporating biomarker profiling into clinical practice to guide personalized treatment strategies. Further research is needed to explore its molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential, particularly in racially diverse cohorts.