NUSAP1 and KIAA0101 downregulation by neo-adjuvant therapy is associated with better outcome and survival in breast cancer.

Abstract

Background: Studies of molecular changes occurring before and after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) for breast cancer may unveil genetic biomarkers to predict therapy response. This study aimed at identifying genomic changes in breast primary tumors of patients under NCT. Gene expression changes were correlated with pathological response and survival.Methods: Gene expression profiles in tissue samples from pre and post NCT were obtained by a non-supervised classification analysis. Thirty-nine patients were classified according to their response to the chemotherapy as pathologic complete responders or non-responders (pCR and no-pCR, respectively). Overall survival was assessed by comparing gene expression values before NCT using the Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Results: A signature constituted by 43 genes was obtained to stratify pCR and no-pCR patients after NCT (FC = + 3, FDR p -value < 0.0298). These genes were involved in regulation of the mitotic nuclear division and the anaphase-promoting complex-dependent catabolic process. Remarkably, over-expression of NUSAP1 and KIAA0101 were associated to poor overall survival. Conclusions: A new expression signature evaluating response for the neo-adjuvant chemotherapy stratified pathological response. The expression levels of NUSAP1 and KIAA0101 before and after the neo-adjuvant therapy may be useful to predict overall survival.