Tag: epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)

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jhc2026v10i2s8


Original
Vimentin Expression in Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma NOS of Breast and its Association with Clinicopathological Characteristics
*Tahsin KN,1 Doly NJ,2 Rashid HO,3 Yeamin MA,4 Sultana S,5 Khan RR,6 Jeba R7

  1. Dr. Kazi Nafisa Tahsin, MD (Pathology), Medical Officer, Department of Histopathology, National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka, kazinafisa29@gmail.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2549-7606
  2. Dr. Nusrat Jahan Doly, MBBS, MD (Pathology), Medical Officer, Department of Histopathology, National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka, doctornusratjahan1990@gmail.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0440-0056
  3. Dr. Md. Abdullah Yeamin, MBBS, MD (Pathology), Lecturer, Jashore Medical College, Jashore, peyal4794@gmail.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9119-720X
  4. Dr. Harum Or Rashid, MBBS, MD (Pathology), Lecturer, Department of Pathology, Sirajganj Medical College, Sirajganj, drharunorrashidjewel@gmail.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6229-8041
  5. Dr. Shahana Sultana, MBBS, MD (Pathology), Assistant Professor, Green life Medical College, Dhaka, shahanashova935@gmail.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6533-3947
  6. Dr. Rizwana Rahman Khan, MBBS, MD (Pathology), Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, drizwanasbmc@gmail.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9207-4063
  7. Dr. Ruksana Jeba, MBBS, MD (Pathology), Professor and Head, Department of Pathology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, ruksanajeba67@gmail.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3025-7309

*For correspondence
Abstract
Background: Despite advances in therapy, breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. The most common invasive subtype, often presents at advanced stages. Rapid progression and therapeutic resistance contribute to such poor outcomes. Vimentin, a cytoskeletal protein linked to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), is associated with aggressive tumor behavior, poor prognosis, and drug resistance, making it a potential prognostic and predictive marker for IDC.
Objectives: To evaluate vimentin expression in IDC-NOS of the breast and its association with clinicopathological features.
Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Dhaka Medical College, from September 2022 to August 2024. Sixty histopathologically diagnosed IDC-NOS cases were examined. Immunohistochemistry for vimentin was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues at AI Khan Lab Ltd., Dhaka. Associations with clinicopathological features were analyzed; p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Vimentin expression was positive in 43.3% of cases. It was significantly higher in Grade 3 tumors (65.4%, p < 0.001) and in the triple-negative subtype (57.7%, p = 0.003). No significant association was observed with age, tumor size, stage, or lymphovascular invasion.
Conclusion: Vimentin expression showed significant associations with aggressive breast cancer phenotypes, particularly higher grade and TNBC subtype. These findings suggest that vimentin may serve as a useful supplementary prognostic marker to aid in risk stratification and management of breast cancer.
[Journal of Histopathology and Cytopathology, 2026 Jul; 10 (2):136-145]
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.69950/jhc.2026.10.2.8

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