Human Breast Cancer Tissue Expresses High Level of Type 1 5′-Deiodinase

Type 1 5′-deiodinase is one of two isoenzymes that participate in conversion of prohormone thyroxine into triiodothyronine (T3). A decrease in type 1 5′-deiodinase expression was observed in renal clear cell carcinoma, thyroid cancer, and lung cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate type 1 5′-deiodinase activity and mRNA level in breast cancer tissue and non-cancerous surrounding breast tissue. Material was collected from 36 patients undergoing radical mastectomy or local tumor resection. In all non-cancerous breast tissues, type 1 5′-deiodinase activity was found to be at a very low or immeasurable level, and type 1 5′-deiodinase mRNA was detected only in 2 out of the 36 samples. By contrast, 20 out of the 36 breast cancer tissues, mainly grades G1 and G2, expressed abundant type 1 5′-deiodinase activity and/or a high mRNA level. Our data demonstrated the presence of type 1 5′-deiodinase in well-differentiated breast cancer tissue. High enzymatic activity of type 1 5′-deiodinase can potentially lead to an increase in the production of T3, which may affect target gene transcription, including genes responsible for energy expenditure, growth, differentiation, and proliferation.