Overexpression of FRAT1 protein is closely related to triple-negative breast cancer

• Published in: Annals of surgical treatment and research Vol. 103; no. 2; pp. 63 - 71
• Main Authors: Nam, Sang Eun, Ko, Young-Sin, Park, Kyoung Sik, Jin, TongYi, Yoo, Young-Bum, Yang, Jung-Hyun, Kim, Wook-Youn, Han, Hye-Seung, Lim, So-Dug, Lee, Seung Eun, Kim, Wan-Seop
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 대한외과학회 01.08.2022; The Korean Surgical Society
• Subjects: Original; Triple negative breast neoplasms; FRAT1; Prognosis
• ISSN: 2288-6575; 2288-6796
• DOI: 10.4174/astr.2022.103.2.63

PurposeTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with a poor prognosis and a lack of targeted therapy. Overexpression of FRAT1 is thought to be associated with this aggressive subtype of cancer. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis and assessed the association between overexpression of FRAT1 and TNBC. MethodsFirst, using different web-based bioinformatics platforms (TIMER 2.0, UALCAN, and GEPIA 2), the expression of FRAT1 was assessed. Then, the expression of the FRAT1 protein and hormone receptors and HER2 status were assessed by immunohistochemical analysis. For samples of tumors with equivocal immunoreactivity, we performed silver in situ hybridization of the HER2 gene to determine an accurate HER2 status. Next, we used the R package and bc-GenExMiner 4.8 to analyze the relationship between FRAT1 expression and clinicopathological parameters in breast cancer patients. Finally, we determined the relationship between FRAT1 overexpression and prognosis in patients. ResultsThe expression of FRAT1 in breast cancer tissues is significantly higher than in normal tissue. FRAT1 expression was significantly related to worse overall survival (P < 0.05) and was correlated with these clinicopathological features: T stage, N stage, age, high histologic grade, estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status, Her-2 status, TNBC status, basal-like status, CK5/6 status, and Ki67 status. ConclusionFRAT1 was overexpressed in breast cancer compared to normal tissue, and it may be involved in the progression of breast cancer malignancy. This study provides suggestive evidence of the prognostic role of FRAT1 in breast cancer and the therapeutic target for TNBC.