The Expression of Semaphorin 3G (SEMA3G) Protein in Breast Cancer Tissue by the Immunohistochemistry Method

Q: With which clinical features was high SEMA3G expression associated?

High SEMA3G expression correlated with breast cancer presence, axillary lymph node metastasis, and HER2-positive breast cancer status.

Sep 23, 2026

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Breast cancer poses a major worldwide health burden, yet molecular mechanisms underlying its development and spread remain incompletely understood. This study used immunohistochemistry to compare SEMA3G protein expression in healthy versus breast cancer tissues and to evaluate links with axillary lymph node metastasis and other clinical parameters. Analysis of 88 tissue samples showed higher SEMA3G levels in cancer tissue (IHC index >4) and increased expression in node-positive cases (IHC index >6), with associations to HER2-positive status.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Breast cancer epidemiology and prognostic markers

Axillary lymph node status and staging

Semaphorin 3G (SEMA3G) background and rationale

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Editorial Proc | ess: Submission:04/03/2025 Acceptance:11/09/2025 Published:11/21/2025 | | --- | --- | The Expression ofSemaphorin 3G (SEMA3G) Protein in Breast Cancer Tissue by the Immunohistochemistry Method Duangjai Piwkham1,2, Apiram Songsri3, Cheep Charoenlap3, Manas Kotepui4, Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui4 * Abstract Objective: Breast cancer is a major health issue for women worldwide, with high incidence rates and as one of the primary causes of mortality among women. However, molecular studies related to the development and spread of breast cancer are still not well understood. According to research reports, the Semaphorin 3G (SEMA3G) gene significantly contributes to the growth and dissemination of cancer cells. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of the SEMA3G protein found in healthy breast tissue versus breast cancer patient tissue and to investigate the correlation between SEMA3G protein expression and the spread of breast cancer cells to axillary lymph nodes, as well as other clinical data, using immunohistochemistry. Results: From the study of 88 breast tissue samples, it was found that SEMA3G levels, with an immunohistochemistry (IHC) index > 4, were significantly higher in breast cancer tissue compared to normal breast tissue (P-value < 0.0001, OR (95% CI) = 8.565 to +infinity) . Moreover, SEMA3G protein expression (IHC index > 6) was detected at elevated levels in breast cancer tissue that had spread to axillary lymph nodes compared with breast cancer tissue without lymph node metastasis (P-value = 0.038, OR (95% CI) = 4.41 (1.19–13.81)) . Additionally, the study found a positive correlation between high SEMA3G protein expression and HER2-positive breast cancer. Conclusions: Higher SEMA3G expression was significantly associated with breast cancer presence, axillary lymph node metastasis, and HER2 positivity, indicating that SEMA3G may play a role in tumor aggressiveness and could serve as a potential marker for disease progression, with potential implications for clinical decision-making in treatment strategies. Keywords: Semaphorin 3G-SEMA3G-Breast Cancer-Axillary Lymph Node-HER2 Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 26 (11), 4035-4041 Introduction Breast cancer is a global public health issue that leads to a significant loss of life and substantial medical treatment costs. In 2018, there were 2.09 million new cases, accounting for 24.2% of all cancers, and it is the most common cancer in women [1]. In Thailand, according to hospital cancer registries, breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers among women, with 780 new cases reported in 2017 [2]. It is most commonly found in women aged 40 and above [3] . The most common typeof breast cancer in Thai women is ductal carcinoma [4] . According to a report from Songklanagarind Hospital in southern Thailand, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, with an incidence of 671 cases in 2017 [5] . To classify breast cancer patients for prognostication and treatment decisions, clinical and pathological data are used, with prognostic markers commonly employed in daily practice, such as patient age, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, nuclear grade, and the expression of hormone receptors like estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) [6] . Among these markers, axillary lymph node status is considered the most critical indicator for prognostic breast cancer [7], as the spread of cancer cells to the axillary lymph nodes is crucial for prognosis and determining subsequent treatment options [8] . For accurate staging of the disease, which aids in planning treatment and predicting outcomes, doctors must perform surgery to remove axillary lymph nodes to check for metastasis. Therefore, if it is possible to predict that breast cancer cells have the potential to spread to the axillary lymph nodes by analyzing the expression of proteins in the initi

FAQs

What was the main objective of this immunohistochemistry study?

To compare SEMA3G protein expression in healthy breast tissue versus breast cancer tissue and assess correlations with axillary lymph node metastasis and other clinical data.

How did SEMA3G protein levels differ between cancerous and normal tissues?

SEMA3G expression was significantly higher in breast cancer tissue than in normal tissue, using an immunohistochemistry index threshold greater than 4 (P-value < 0.0001).

With which clinical features was high SEMA3G expression associated?

High SEMA3G expression correlated with breast cancer presence, axillary lymph node metastasis, and HER2-positive breast cancer status.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by pixelkiddo