Elevated CXCL1 expression in breast cancer stroma predicts poor prognosis and is inversely associated with expression of TGF-β signaling proteins

CXCL1 is a chemotactic cytokine shown to regulate breast cancer progression and chemo-resistance. However, the prognostic significance of CXCL1 expression in breast cancer has not been fully characterized. Fibroblasts are important cellular components of the breast tumor microenvironment, and recent studies indicate that this cell type is a potential source of CXCL1 expression in breast tumors.