Slc7a5 protein expression in breast cancer samples, relationship with clinical and morphological parameters of the tumor and its regional metastasis

OBJECTIVE: To define the role of SLC7A5 expression in establishing an aggressive phenotype in primary breast cancer, specifically its correlation with major clinicopathological characteristics and the capacity for early lymphatic spread. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ² test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and univariate logistic regression. RESULTS: <0.001). In age groups 18-44 and 60-74 years, as well as in ER-positive and G1 tumors, SLC7A5 positivity increased the odds of lymph node involvement by 2.26-6.5 times. CONCLUSION: SLC7A5 expression serves as an integral marker of breast cancer aggressiveness, associated with unfavorable immunophenotypes and independently predictive of lymphogenous metastasis. Its assessment may improve risk stratification and help identify candidates for LAT1 inhibitor-targeted therapy.