The Role of Caspase-8, MLKL and RIPK1 in Iraqi Patients’ Women with Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects women’s breast tissue, leading to uncontrollably aberrant cell proliferation. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of Caspase-8, mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) in pathogenicity of breast cancer (newly diagnosed and under treatment). Methods: A pilot study was conducted in the main medical hospital in Baghdad (Baghdad medical city-oncology teaching hospital). A total of 60 blood samples were collected from women with breast cancer aged 25-65 years old in addition to 28 blood samples were withdrawn from apparently healthy women aged match with patients. Samples were divided into three groups: 30 newly diagnosed patients suffered from breast cancer without treatment, 30 patients under treatment with chemotherapy (Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide) (60 mg/m²), and 28 healthy control individuals. Three mL peripheral blood samples were withdrawn from each participant. The serum was isolated, and an ELISA assay was carried out to determine the serum level of the studied parameters. Results: The result showed a significant increase in the serum level of Caspase-8, MLKL and RIPK1 in all patients (newly diagnosed) versus control, and a significant decrease in the serum level of Caspase-8, MLKL and RIPK1 in all patients (under treatment) versus control, the results were (0.12±0.01, 1.11±0.18, 0.54±0.09), (2.35±0.28, 5.98±0.61, 0.72±0.14), and (0.11±0.01, 0.797±0.243, 0.129±0.030) ng/mL respectively. Also, the result showed a significant difference in the serum level of patients according to age, stage, grade and hormonal status of some understudied parameters. Conclusions: High serum levels of Caspase-8, MLKL and RIPK1 were found in Iraqi females with breast cancer with significant relation depending on grade, stage and hormonal status of breast cancer. While levels for Casp-8, MLKL, and RIPK1 were recorded in patients under treatment, it can be concluded that the studied marker may be considered a good predictor marker for therapeutic response in breast cancer patients.