Expression of genes involved in DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint pathways in Triple Negative compared to Luminal A Breast Cancer: a molecular characterization

Results Among the NER genes, ERCC1 (p < 0.0001) and XPA (p = 0.03) genes were significantly less expressed in TNBC than in LABC; among the FA genes, BRCA1 (p < 0.0001), FANCD2 (p < 0.0001), FANCF (p < 0.0001) and PALB2 (p = 0.0006) genes were significantly less expressed in TNBC than in LABC. Also CHK1 was less expressed in TNBC (p < 0.0001). In relation to the clinical-pathological characteristics, lower level of XPG and FANCA were associated with larger tumor size (≥ pT2) at definitive surgery in TNBC. The high expression of FANCA was related to an increase of either the Overall Survival (p = 0.0045) or the Event-Free Survival (p = 0.0141) on univariate analysis in TNBC. Conclusions DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint related genes with particular regards to ERCC1/XPA in NER family, BRCA/FANC family and CHK1 may be useful as prognostic markers in TNBC and likely to be important in