Background
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world. Despite progress made in the last 30 years in breast cancer screening and treatment, this disease is still responsible for almost half a million deaths per year worldwide. Approximately half of diagnosed patients will eventually develop metastatic disease. Treatment for metastatic breast cancer is palliative, and median life expectancy after recurrence is between 24 and 30 months or less [
1,
2].
The etiology of breast cancer is extremely complex and, while not yet elucidated, appears to involve numerous genetic, endocrine and external environmental factors. The role of genetic factors in epidemiology and pathogenesis of both sporadic and familial breast cancer is now well established. Only a small minority (~5%) of patients with breast cancer develop the disease as a result of inheritance of germline mutations in dominant, highly penetrant susceptibility genes such as
BRCA1 and
BRCA2. However, polymorphisms in the genes involved in the complex mechanisms of carcinogenesis may confer low penetrant susceptibility to breast cancer in a significant proportion of the remaining patients [
3].
The neoplastic transformation, growth, survival, invasion, and metastases are dependent on the establishment of a pro-angiogenic environment. Local angiogenesis is determined by an imbalance in the over-expression of pro-angiogenic factors, as compared to inhibitors of angiogenesis. The CXC chemokine family is the unique group of cytokines known for their ability to behave in a disparate manner in angiogenesis regulation. Several members of the CXC chemokine are potent promoters of angiogenesis, whereas others inhibit the angiogenic process. The disparity in angiogenic activity among CXC chemokine family members is attributed to three amino acid structural domains at the N terminus, Glu-Leu-Arg (ELR), which is present in angiogenic (i.e., CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL3, CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL7, and CXCL8) [
4‐
6], but not angiostatic (i.e., CXCL4, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11) CXC chemokines [
7].
ELR
+ CXC chemokines play an important role in tumor growth and progression in a number of tumor model systems [
8]. In particular, interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL8), which was originally described as a leukocyte chemoattractant [
9], was subsequently found to possess mitogenic and angiogenic properties [
10,
11]. Several studies suggested a tendency toward the involvement of IL-8 in cancer development [
12]. Elevated IL-8 levels were associated with disease progression and recurrence in human prostate, lung, gastric, and breast cancers [
13‐
16].
All angiogenic ELR
+ CXC chemokines mediate their angiogenic activity through CXCR2 [
17]. Subsequent studies have confirmed the expression of CXCR2, not CXCR1, to be the primary functional chemokine receptor in mediating endothelial cell chemotaxis [
18,
19]. By considering the expression of IL-8 by breast cancer cells and CXCR2 by large vessel and microvascular endothelial cells [
19,
20], an autocrine effect for IL-8 and the chemokine receptor CXCR2 has been suggested.
Promoter regions of a number of cytokine genes contain polymorphisms that directly influence cytokine production [
21]. The
IL-8 gene is located on chromosome 4q13-21 and consists of four exons, three introns, and a proximal promoter region [
22]. Several polymorphisms have been reported in the
IL-8 gene. Interestingly, IL-8 production can be controlled by the -251 A/T in the promoter region of this chemokine [
23]. Recent data revealed that the
IL-8 (-251) A allele is associated with a high expression level of IL-8 protein and a severe neutrophil infiltration [
23].Other studies also reported that the
IL-8 (-251) T/A polymorphism is associated with a higher risk of developing malignant diseases [
24‐
27].
Three single polymorphisms at positions +785 C/T, +1208 T/C and +1440 G/A were reported in the
CXCR2 gene [
28]. Several reports indicated that the polymorphism +1208 C/T which is located in the non-coding region of
CXCR2 gene might provide valuable information for the pathogenesis and the susceptibility to chronic inflammatory disease [
28,
29].
Previously we have reported an elevated risk for breast cancer among the Tunisian population (
n = 308 cases and
n = 236 healthy controls) associated with the
IL-8 (-251) T/A polymorphism. The implication of this polymorphism in the prognosis of breast carcinoma has also been demonstrated [
30].
Based on the abundant evidence for the role of IL-8 and CXCR2 in carcinogenesis, we evaluated in this study the association of CXCR2 (+ 1208) C/T gene polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility and prognosis in Tunisia. Then we used existing and additional genotype data on 409 breast cancer cases and 301 healthy controls to examine the potential contribution of the combined genotypes of IL-8 and CXCR2 in breast carcinoma occurrence, clinico-pathological characteristics and prognosis.
Discussion
The ELR
+ CXC chemokines play an important role in tumor growth and progression in a number of tumor model systems. IL-8/CXCL8 was the first described angiogenic, mitogenic, and motogenic chemokine in various cancer models and is the prototype of ELR
+ CXC chemokines [
8,
10‐
13]. This chemokine was initially discovered on the basis of its ability to induce mobilization of neutrophils and lymphocytes
in vivo [
9]. Like the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), it is a strong angiogenesis inducer. IL-8 mediates endothelial cell chemotaxis and proliferation
in vitro and
in vivo [
36].
The fact that all ELR
+CXC chemokines mediate angiogenesis highlights the importance of identifying a common receptor that mediates their biological functions in promoting angiogenesis. The candidate CXC chemokine receptors are CXCR1 and CXCR2. Only CXCL-8/IL-8 and CXCL-6 specifically bind to CXCR1 whereas all ELR
+CXC chemokines bind to CXCR2. There is evidence that CXCR2 is implicated in the angiogenic activity of ELR
+ CXC chemokines [
18,
36].
In recent years, several studies have shown that IL-8 and CXCR2 are overexpressed in a range of human cancers including renal, prostate, pancreatic, colon, nasopharyngeal, and gastric cancers [
37‐
41]. IL-8 and its receptors were detected on breast tumor cells and endothelial cells of tumor vessels [
19‐
21]. In addition, IL-8 levels are significantly higher in breast cancer patients compared with healthy controls [
42]. Ben-Baruch et al have demonstrated that, aside the role of IL-8 and CXCR2 in mediating the recruitment of the tumor-infiltrating leucocytes to tumor site, their expression may also affect neoplastic proliferation and metastasis [
43].
IL-8 and CXCR2 overexpression may present a risk factor in the development and progression of solid tumors. Several polymorphisms have been identified in
IL-8 and
CXCR2 genes. Among these,
IL-8 (-251) T/A polymorphism exerts one of the greatest influences on IL-8 production. Polymorphism +1208 C/T of the
CXCR2 gene is implicated in the susceptibility to and the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases [
28,
29].
Recently, we have showed that
IL-8 (-251) T/A polymorphism may be a genetic risk factor for breast cancer onset and severity in the Tunisian population [
30]. Our current study aims to confirm these results in a larger cohort and to determine whether there is any association between the genetic polymorphism of the
CXCR2 and both individual susceptibility to and prognosis of breast carcinoma. Based on the intertwined and interactive roles that IL-8 and CXCR2 play at the molecular level in the angiogenic pathway, we further hypothesized a priori that the joint effect of genetic variants in these angiogenesis regulators may increase breast cancer risk.
In the present study, the comparison of genotype frequencies of
IL-8 for breast carcinoma patients and control subjects indicates an increase of
IL-8 (-251) TA and AA genotypes. Consequently, the
IL-8 (-251) A allele frequency was found to be significantly higher in patients compared with controls. These results confirmed our previous findings in a smaller subset of cases and controls [
31].
CXCR2 genotype analysis revealed that carriers of CXCR2 (+1208) TT homozygous genotype are significantly over-represented among breast cancer cases (OR = 2.08; P = 0.01). Despite the great interest in CXCR2 biological properties, little is known about the functional importance of single nucleotide polymorphisms in its gene. This result indicates that CXCR2 gene polymorphism could be considered as a susceptibility gene in breast cancer development.
These findings suggested that individual genetic polymorphisms of IL-8 and CXCR2 were associated with breast carcinoma risk. However, the combination of these genotypes showed a marked association with breast carcinoma risk. We defined the TA and AA genotypes of the IL-8 gene and the TT genotype of the CXCR2 gene as high-risk genotypes according to the individual genotype analysis. Breast carcinoma risk significantly increased according to the number of high-risk genotypes. There was a 63% increase in breast cancer (OR = 1.63; P = 0.01) for the presence of one high-risk genotype. The risk was 4.15 (P = 0.0004) for individuals with two high-risk genotypes. These data, taken together, suggest that there is evidence of a gene-dosage effect.
The assessment of the prognostic value of IL-8 genetic marker in breast carcinoma confirmed the results of our previous study and indicated that IL-8 (-251) A allele is highly associated with aggressive forms of breast carcinoma as defined by large tumor size, high grade and lymph node metastases. In the current study, we also examined for the first time the relationship between IL-8 (-251) T/A polymorphism and the hormonal status. Interestingly, we observed a significant association between IL-8 (-251) A allele and a negative hormonal status (P = 0.0008).
Furthermore, we investigated the association of the CXCR2 (+1208) C/T polymorphism with markers of tumor progression. Our results showed a significant association between CXCR2 (+1208) T allele and a large tumor size (P = 0.0001), high SBR tumor grade (P = 0.01), and lymph node metastases (P = 0.0008). More interestingly, we showed that IL-8 (-251) A and CXCR2 (+1208) T alleles were associated with a shorter overall survival and disease-free survival and, therefore, with a poor prognosis in breast carcinoma.
Given the importance of IL-8 and CXCR2 in angiogenesis, we investigated the relationship between polymorphisms -251 T/A in IL-8 gene and (+1208) C/T in CXCR2 gene and breast carcinoma. The results show that these polymorphisms may be related to breast carcinoma development and progression.
In agreement with our findings, several studies reported a relationship between
IL-8 (-251) T/A and
CXCR2 (+1208) C/T genes polymorphisms and human cancer.
IL-8 (-251) A allele, which resulted in higher IL-8 secretion was associated with an increased risk and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and gastric cancer [
24‐
26,
44]. Similarly, we reported in a previous study that
IL-8 (-251) A allele held a higher risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and was highly associated with aggressive forms and poor prognosis [
27]. Regarding breast carcinoma, the current study confirmed our previous results obtained in a smaller cohort and is also in agreement with Kamali-Sarvestani et al. who reported that
IL-8 (-251) A allele carriers had a significantly higher risk of breast carcinoma than non carriers in the Iranian population [
45].
Recently, few studies have shown the relationship between
CXCR2 gene polymorphisms and human cancer [
46,
47]. The
CXCR2 gene polymorphisms were associated with pancreatic cancer but not with prostate and breast cancer [
46,
47]. Kamali-Sarvestini et al. have demonstrated that
CXCR2 (+1208) C/T polymorphism is not associated with breast cancer [
45]. This result is in contrast with our findings.
There is now convincing evidence that these correlations between IL-8 A allele and cancer risk result from an increased level of IL-8 protein, which may have an impact on cancer development and progression via the regulation of immune response and pathways of tumor angiogenesis.
IL-8 is an important chemoattractant that promotes inflammatory processes [
9]. The IL-8 receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 have been reported to be present in a variety of cell types including inflammatory cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts [
46]. Consequently, IL-8 is a major contributing factor involved in the initiation and amplification of the inflammatory response via its receptors [
48]. However, it is known that inflammation profoundly affects the development and progression of tumor and therefore, IL-8 might promote tumor cell proliferation by amplification of inflammation in the tumor microenvironnement via its receptors.
IL-8 proangiogenic effects additionally stem from its ability to inhibit the apoptosis of endothelial cells [
49]. This inhibition is associated with increased levels of the anti-apoptotic factors Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 as well as with decreased levels of Bax. It was further shown that IL-8 stimulates increased endothelial cell mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP-2 and -9 as well as increases gelatine activity [
49]. These MMP activities are required for the proteolytic modifications of basements membranes and extracellular matrices during angiogenesis.
IL-8 was shown to act as an autocrine growth factor and to stimulate invasion and chemotaxis of many tumor cell types. The expression of IL-8 and the receptor of ELR
+CXC chemokine CXCR2 in cancer have been evaluated in numerous studies. Overexpression of IL-8 is associated with increasing tumor stage, disease progression and recurrence in human bladder, prostate, breast, lung, gastric, hepatic cancers, and melanoma [
11,
14‐
16,
43,
50,
51]. Recently, it has been shown that the ER-negative breast cancer cells overexpressed IL-8. Concerning IL-8 receptors, it has been observed that CXCR1 expression was extremely low in breast cancer cells, whereas most of the cells investigated showed a higher expression of CXCR2 [
52]. The same study also suggested that IL-8 expression is negatively correlated to ER-status and is expressed preferentially in invasive cancer cells [
52]. Moreover, our data showed that the higher percentage of ER-negative tumors were present in patients carrying the
IL-8 (-251) A allele which is associated with a higher IL-8 production. Altogether, these results suggested that the genetic variation in the promoter of the
IL-8 gene which influences the production of this chemokine could be the genetic basis of the potential tumor progression and invasiveness of breast cancer.
The ability of IL-8 to elicit angiogenic activity depends on the endothelial cell expression of its receptors. Recent studies indicated that CXCR1 and CXCR2 are highly expressed on human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) [
53]. Antibodies directed at CXCR1 and CXCR2 are capable of inhibiting IL-8 induced migration of HMEC, which indicates that these two receptors are critical for the IL-8 angiogenic response. Since CXCR2 binds to all ELR
+CXC chemokines that induce angiogenesis, including IL-8, it may be safe to say that CXCR2 is a mediator of the proangiogenic effects of IL-8.
Several reports have confirmed the importance of CXCR2 in mediating the effects of angiogenesis in human microvascular endothelial cells [
18,
36,
53]. Endothelial cells were found to express CXCR2
in vitro and
in vivo, but not CXCR1. Blocking the function of CXCR2 by either neutralizing antibodies or inhibiting downstream signalling using specific inhibitors of ERK1/2 and PI3 kinase impaired IL-8-induced stress fiber assembly, chemotaxis, and endothelial tube formation in endothelial cells [
39,
54]. Overall, these data strongly support a role for CXCR2 in angiogenesis induced by ELR
+CXC chemokines and especially by IL-8.
Authors' contributions
SK conceived the manuscript, conducted data analysis, and drafted the manuscript. MW contributed to the design and management of data. HK, MF and NB provided samples and clinical information. LC designed and participated in the data analysis and interpretation of the study. AN-H contributed to reviewing the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.