• Differential expression of steroidogenesis-related genes CYP11A1, STAR, HSD11B1, HSD11B2 and HSD17B12 in adipose tissue adjacent to benign and malignant breast tumors
  • Mohadeseh Jasangin,1 Sedigheh Kamrani,2 Alireza Alizadeh,3 Ashraf Moini,4 Sadaf Alipour,5 Maryam Shahhoseini,6,*
    1. Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences and advanced Technologies in Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
    2. Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
    3. 3. Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
    4. 4. Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran 5. Breast Diseases Research Center (BDRC), Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 6. Department of Surgery
    5. 5. Breast Diseases Research Center (BDRC), Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 6. Department of Surgery, Arash Women’s Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    6. 1. Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences and advanced Technologies in Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran 2. Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran 7. Depart


  • Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide and is the second leading cause of female mortality. Research highlights the significant role of adipose tissue (AT) as the primary microenvironment for breast tumor cells, known as cancer-associated adipocytes (CAA), which promote breast cancer development and invasiveness through the secretion of various chemokines and adipokines. CAAs impact metabolic pathways, particularly steroidogenesis, where cholesterol is converted into steroid hormones. This study aims to evaluate the expression of key genes involved in steroidogenesis, including CYP11A1, STAR, HSD11B1, HSD11B2, and HSD17B12, in adipocytes surrounding malignant tumors compared to those adjacent to benign tumors.
  • Methods: Adipose tissue adjacent to tumors was collected from forty Iranian women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) and benign breast disease (BBD) during surgery. Participants were matched for age and body mass index (BMI). The mRNA levels of the aforementioned genes were analyzed using quantitative PCR.
  • Results: The mRNA expression levels of steroidogenesis-related genes (CYP11A1, STAR, HSD11B1, HSD11B2, and HSD17B12) were significantly higher in the AT of individuals with BC compared to those with BBD. This indicates a notable upregulation of steroidogenesis-related genes in the AT of BC patients.
  • Conclusion: Our findings suggest that cancer-associated adipocytes (CAA) play a critical role in breast cancer progression and metastasis. The altered expression of steroidogenesis-related genes in AT during tumor development may contribute to breast cancer malignancy and progression, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets.
  • Keywords: Cancer-associated- adipocyte (CAA), Steroidogenesis, Breast cancer (BC), Benign Breast disease (BBD)