Keywords
breast cancer
MYC
cell differentiation
cytokines
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction. The search for agents capable of not only inhibiting proliferation but also enhancing the differentiation of tumor cells is relevant for the treatment of malignant neoplasms, including breast cancer. One promising candidate is the acetylamide form of the synthetic peptide HLDF-6, a short fragment of the HLDF protein, which possesses both differentiation-inducing and immunomodulatory potential.
Aim. To evaluate the in vitro effect of the acetylamide form of the synthetic peptide HLDF-6 on the expression of the MYC, SOX2, PAX5a, and PAX5b genes in biopsies of malignant and benign breast tumors, and to identify correlations between the expression levels of these genes and the production of cytokines, which reflect the functional state of both the tumor cells and their microenvironment.
Materials and Methods. The study analyzed biopsy samples from 44 patients with invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (NST) and 13 women with benign breast diseases. The expression of MYC, SOX2, PAX5a, and PAX5b genes was assessed by RT-PCR, cytokine production was measured by immunoassay, and a histopathological assessment of the degree of tumor cell differentiation was performed in biopsies with and without exposure to the acetamide form of the synthetic peptide HLDF-6.
Results. HLDF-6 induced a statistically significant increase in MYC gene expression and reduced the proportion of poorly differentiated cells in samples of invasive breast carcinoma NST. Statistically significant changes in the production of several cytokines were also observed, including an increase in GM-CSF. Furthermore, negative correlations were found between GM-CSF levels and the expression of MYC, SOX2, and PAX5b genes.
Conclusion. The obtained data confirm the differentiation-promoting effect of HLDF-6 and suggest its potential role as a modulator of the functional activity of tumor cells and their microenvironment in breast cancer.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Екатерина Дмитриевна Мангазеева, Анастасия Александровна Студеникина, Елена Семеновна Михайлова , Сергей Евгеньевич Титов , Светлана Леонидовна Рыжикова, Анна Пайзеновна Богачук , Валерий Михайлович Липкин , Александр Исаевич Аутеншлюс