Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between Rab10 (GTP binding protein RAB10), TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4), and NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-B) levels and therapeutic effects in peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer after surgery. The study included 160 patients with stage I-III breast cancer who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital's Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology between January 2021 and June 2021. ELISA was used to assess Rab10, TLR4, and NF-κB levels in peripheral blood. Based on their levels of Rab10, TLR4, and NF-κB in peripheral blood, participants were categorized into two groups: the low marker expression group (72 participants with relatively low expression of Rab10, TLR4, and NF-κB: Rab10<2.0ng/ml; TLR4<2.75ng/ml; NF-κB<3.5ng/ml) and the high marker expression group (88 participants with relatively high expression: Rab10 ≥ 2.0 ng/ml; TLR4 ≥ 2.75ng/ml; NF-κB ≥ 3.5ng/ml). All participants provided informed consent to participate the study. The baseline data of the two groups of patients, the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis and recurrence within 3 years after surgery, as well as the survival status within 3 years after surgery (including median overall survival and median progression-free survival) were statistically analyzed. The expressions of Rab10, TLR4, and NF-κB in the peripheral blood of patients were detected through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Kendall's tau-b correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the expressions of Rab10, TLR4, and NF-κB and the therapeutic effects outcomes. The levels of Rab10, TLR4, and NF - κ B in peripheral blood of the high marker expression group were higher than those of the low marker expression group (Rab10: 1.87 ± 0.18 vs. 3.15 ± 0.24 ng/ml; TLR4: 2.17 ± 0.20 vs. 3.26 ± 0.25 ng/ml); NF-κB: 2.68 ± 0.27 vs. 4.63 ± 0.30 ng/ml; P < 0.05). Analyzing the relationship between patient staging and Rab10, TLR4, and NF - κ B expression, the number of patients in high marker expression group III-IV increased compared to the low marker expression group (54.55% vs. 36.12%; P < 0.05), while the number of patients in high marker expression group I-II decreased compared to the low marker expression group (45.45% vs. 63.88%; P < 0.05). It was found that the number of patients with no recurrence or metastasis in the high marker expression group decreased compared to the low marker expression group (56.81% vs. 73.61%; P < 0.05), while the number of patients with recurrence or metastasis in the high marker expression group increased compared to the low marker expression group (43.19% vs. 26.39%; P < 0.05). The median overall survival and median progression free survival in the high marker expression group were shorter than those in the low marker expression group (median overall survival: 21.45 ± 2.68 months vs. 28.38 ± 3.44 months; median progression free survival: 15.25 ± 2.37 vs. 20.72 ± 2.58 months; P < 0.05). Kendall's tau-b correlation indicated a positive correlation between the expressions of Rab10, TLR4, and NF-κB and a poor therapeutic effects (P < 0.05), suggesting that elevated levels of Rab10, TLR4, and NF-κB may lead to a worsened therapeutic effects. There is a significant correlation between the presence of Rab10, TLR4, and NF-κB in the peripheral blood of breast cancer patients. Elevated levels of Rab10, TLR4, and NF-κB are linked to an increased risk of recurrence, metastasis, reduced overall survival, and progression-free survival.