Work

Serum Klotho: Unraveling its association with diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Klotho, an antioxidant protein, suppresses oxidative stress and its potential role in cancer due to shared molecular hallmarks with aging. The expression of Klotho in breast cancer (BC) tissue and circulation remains debatable. ADAM10 and ADAM17 metalloproteinases release soluble Klotho into circulation, potentially overexpressed in BC blood. Klotho is also found in extracellular microvesicles (MV), pivotal in tumor cell communication and growth. This study assessed serum Klotho, ADAM10, and MV levels in BC patients versus normal, tracking disease progression and treatment response. METHODS: Real-time label-free surface-plasmon-resonance measured Klotho and ADAM10 in serum pre- and post-therapy, validated by western blot, correlating protein levels with demographics and cancer stages. MV levels were determined between the groups. RESULTS: Significantly elevated serum Klotho and ADAM10 were found in BC compared to normal, particularly with larger tumors and advanced stages. Protein concentrations decreased after treatment; matched with clinically responded patients. ROC analysis distinguished protein levels between BC and normal groups with high sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: This study contributes a novel finding of serum Klotho protein in BC pathogenesis and explores its utility as a blood-based biomarker.

Source: Cancer Treatment and Research Communications

DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2025.100962