Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a multi-enzyme molecule that plays a role in the de novo biosynthesis of fatty acids. FAS is expressed at low levels in most normal human tissues because, cells preferentially utilize circulating lipids for the synthesis of new structural lipids. Recent studies have demonstrated that high levels of F AS occur in a subset of human cancers (such as breast, ovary, and prostate cancer etc) and these high FAS levels are associated with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of FAS in breast cancer and to examine the relationship between FAS and the clinicopathological data.

We reviewed clinical profiles [clinical data and short term outcome (recurrence)] of 67 breast cancer patients by reviewing their medical records. The average followed-up period was 22.6 month. FAS expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry on the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues.

FAS expression of breast cancer was non-specifically high, but there was no statistical importance between the FAS expression, the clinic-pathological data and the short term recurrence (p>0.05).

The overexpression of FAS in breast cancer patients may not be a reliable marker for a poor prognosis. However, further studies are required in order to define the biological significance and the specific role of FAS in breast cancer development, growth, and invasion. Also, inhibition of FAS may be a target treatment for breast cancer.