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This work was supported by a grant from Associazione Italiana Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC, IG#15221) and PRIN 2017 n degrees 2017SNRXH3 to M.M. The grant of Excellence Departments, MIUR (Legge 232/2016, Articolo 1, Comma 314-337) to M.M. and M.F., is gratefully acknowledged.

Analysis of institutional authors

Fernandez, Virginia SolarAuthor

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Neuroglobin: A New Possible Marker of Estrogen-Responsive Breast Cancer

Publicated to:Cells. 10 (8): 1986- - 2021-08-01 10(8), DOI: 10.3390/cells10081986

Authors: Fernandez, Virginia Solar; Fiocchetti, Marco; Cipolletti, Manuela; Segatto, Marco; Cercola, Paolo; Massari, Annalisa; Ghinassi, Sabrina; Cavaliere, Francesco; Marino, Maria

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Abstract

The expression of the alpha-subtype of Estrogen Receptor (ER alpha) characterizes most breast cancers (more than 75%), for which endocrine therapy is the mainstay for their treatment. However, a high percentage of ER alpha+ breast cancers are de novo or acquired resistance to endocrine therapy, and the definition of new targets for improving therapeutic interventions and the prediction of treatment response is demanding. Our previous data identified the ER alpha/AKT/neuroglobin (NGB) pathway as a common pro-survival process activated in different ER alpha breast cancer cell lines. However, no in vivo association between the globin and the malignity of breast cancer has yet been done. Here, we evaluated the levels and localization of NGB in ER alpha+ breast ductal carcinoma tissue of different grades derived from pre-and post-menopausal patients. The results indicate a strong association between NGB accumulation, ER alpha, AKT activation, and the G3 grade, while no association with the menopausal state has been evidenced. Analyses of the data set (e.g., GOBO) strengthen the idea that NGB accumulation could be linked to tumor cell aggressiveness (high grade) and resistance to treatment. These data support the view that NGB accumulation, mainly related to ER expression and tumor grade, represents a compensatory process, which allows cancer cells to survive in an unfavorable environment.

Keywords

AdultAgedAged, 80 and overAktBiomarkers, tumorBreast cancer survivalBreast neoplasmsCarcinoma, ductal, breastCase-control studiesCellChemotherapyCytoglobinDisease progressionDuctal infiltrating adenocarcinomaEsr1 protein, humanEstrogen receptor alphaEstrogen receptor αExpressionFemaleGlobinHumansImmunohistochemistryImpacMiddle agedMyoglobinNeoplasm gradingNeuroglobinNgb protein, humanProgression-free survivalProto-oncogene proteins c-aktReceptorSignal transductionTargetTumor microenvironmenTumor microenvironmentTumor-suppressor

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Cells due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2021, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Miscellaneous).

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 1.06, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jun 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-06-06, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 4
  • Scopus: 4
  • Europe PMC: 3
  • OpenCitations: 4

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-06:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 8 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Italy.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (SOLAR FERNANDEZ, VIRGINIA) .