Taxotere-induced WNT16 Expression in Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts Might Associate with Progression and Chemoresistance of Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between WNT16 expression in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts and Taxotere treatments in breast cancer. PROCEDURES: WNT16 expression in primarily cultured carcinoma-associated fibroblasts was detected via Real-Time PCR and Western blot. A total of 106 breast cancer cases were prepared for immunohistochemistry. Multiple assays were performed to examine the function of breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) co-cultured with carcinoma-associated fibroblasts when WNT16 was inhibited. RESULTS: Enhanced WNT16 expression was verified in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts after Taxotere treatment (p<0.0001). MDA-MB-231 cells co-cultured with carcinoma-associated fibroblasts displayed decreasing invasion, proliferation abilities, and an increasing sensitivity to Taxotere treatment when WNT16 was inhibited. The WNT16 expression of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer was significantly associated with tumor size (p=0.0164), and chemotherapy treatment (p=0.0015). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that Taxotere-induced WNT16 expression in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts might contribute to the progression and chemoresistance of breast cancer.