Comparative Study of COL10A1 Gene Expression in Normal and Malignant Breast Tissues: Potential Diagnostic Implications

Abstract Background: Collagen Type X Alpha 1 Chain (COL10A1) has emerged as a potential oncogenic marker in several malignancies, including breast cancer. However, its clinical relevance and association with reproductive and demographic parameters in breast cancer patients remain underexplored in Bangladeshi populations. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, in collaboration with the Institute for Population and Precision Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, The University of Chicago, USA, from July 2022 to June 2023. A total of 34 histopathologically confirmed female breast cancer patients were enrolled. Paired tumor and adjacent normal breast tissue samples were collected during surgical procedures. Total RNA was extracted, followed by complementary DNA synthesis, and COL10A1 gene expression was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Associations with sociodemographic (age, BMI, family history) and reproductive factors (age at menarche, contraceptive use, parity, breastfeeding) were evaluated using Spearman’s correlation. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of high COL10A1 expression in tumor tissue. Results: The median COL10A1 expression in tumor tissue was significantly higher (3.133, IQR: -0.735 to 2.695) compared to normal tissue (2.044, IQR: -2.651 to -0.615) with a p-value of 0.011 (Mann–Whitney U test). High expression (>2.5) was observed in 55.88% (19/34) of tumor tissues compared to 17.65% (6/34) in normal tissue. Expression levels increased with advancing tumor stage: Stage I (mean ± SD: 2.12 ± 0.43), Stage II (2.85 ± 0.68), and Stage III (3.42 ± 1.01), with a significant trend (p = 0.034). No significant correlation was found between COL10A1 expression and age (r = -0.179, p = 0.143), BMI (r = -0.054, p = 0.660), or reproductive factors such as age at menarche, parity, contraceptive use, or breastfeeding. Logistic regression revealed that patients who had not breastfed had higher odds (OR = 3.72) of elevated COL10A1 expression, although not statistically significant (p = 0.112). Conclusion: COL10A1 expression is significantly upregulated in breast tumor tissue and shows a positive association with tumor stage, suggesting its potential role as a biomarker for breast cancer progression. While reproductive and demographic factors showed no significant correlation, further large-scale, multi-center studies are warranted to validate its prognostic utility.