2. Academic Validation
  3. Genetic associations of plasma proteins and breast cancer identify potential therapeutic drug candidates

Genetic associations of plasma proteins and breast cancer identify potential therapeutic drug candidates

  • Commun Biol. 2025 Apr 15;8(1):610. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08046-3.
Liuliu Quan # 1 2,  Xin Luo # 3 4 5,  Chenxu Meng # 6,  Jinsong Liu # 1 2,  Jie Ju 1 2,  Zixuan Yang 1 2,  You Shuai 1 2,  Tong Wei 1 2,  Jiaqi Meng 6,  Peng Yuan 7
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
  • 2 Department of VIP Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research, Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
  • 3 Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
  • 4 Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
  • 5 Key Laboratory of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
  • 6 West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
  • 7 Department of VIP Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research, Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. yuanpengyp01@163.com.
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 40234727 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-08046-3
Abstract

To address the pressing need to improve breast Cancer outcomes, we identify 9 plasma proteins with significant associations to breast Cancer, namely ULK3, CSK, ASIP, TLR1 in breast Cancer, ADH5, SARS2, ULK3, UBE2N in Luminal A subtype, PEX14 in Luminal B subtype. Tumor immune cell infiltration analysis and mutation phenotypes in mice further demonstrate a complex pattern of interaction between these genes and immune responses. Compared to normal tissues, tumor tissues exhibit reduced expression of ULK3 and CSK. Notably, elevated ULK3 expression in both breast Cancer and the Luminal A subtype is significantly associated with prolonged recurrence-free survival. Overexpression of CSK and ULK3 is confirmed to significantly inhibit the proliferation and migratory ability of MCF-7 cells. Additionally, three drug candidates-TG100801, Hydrochlorothiazide, and Imatinib-show promise in targeting these proteins, contributing valuable insights for prioritizing drug development in realm of breast Cancer.

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