Deltex1 promotes cell proliferation and invasion and associated with clinical characteristics of breast cancer

Abstract Background Deltex1 (DTX1) was found to play its role in the development of several kinds of cancer. The association between DTX1 and breast cancer was unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between DTX1 expression and clinical characteristics of breast cancer, further explore the possible mechanisms of DTX1 on the development of breast cancer. Methods We determined level of DTX1 expression by qRT-PCR, analyzed association between DTX1 and clinical characteristics of breast cancer by student’s test and ANOVA test. The possible mechanisms of DTX1 on the development of breast cancer were explored with breast cancer cell lines in vitro. Results Levels of DTX1 in breast cancer tissues were lower compared to FCD tissues and peri-neoplastic breast tissues (P<0.01). Lower expression of DTX1 was associated with advanced tumor grade (grade III, P=0.002), advanced clinical TNM stage (III-IV stage, P=0.017), positive lymph node metastasis (P=0.034) and high Ki-67 index (P=0.031). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that DTX1 expression was recognized as an independent prognostic factor for MFS in breast cancer. Elevated levels of Notch1, Jagged1 and HES1 in NOTCH pathway and p-Akt/PKB in PI3K/AKT pathway were found in breast cancer cells with lower DTX1 expression. GSI treatment could inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation and migration through NOTCH/DTX1/PI3K/AKT pathways. Conclusion Lower DTX1 in breast tissues was associated with advanced condition, prognosis and metastasis of breast cancer. Lower DTX1 might promote breast cancer cell proliferation and migration via NOTCH/DTX1/PI3K/AKT pathways. DTX1 might be useful as a marker to select new therapy for breast cancer.