Expression of mucins (MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC and MUC6) in mucinous carcinoma of the breast: comparison with invasive ductal carcinoma

Abstract

The expression rate of MUC1/CORE and MUC1/HMFG-1, which is related to poor prognosis in the gastric and colorectal cancers, is low in mucinous carcinomas. The high expression rate of gel-forming secretory mucins (MUC2 and MUC6) in mucinous carcinoma suggests that high production of these types of mucins may act as a barrier to cancerous extension resulting in their less aggressive biological behaviour.