Transcription factor SLA 2 regulated genes predict the survival of breast cancer patients

Objective: This study is to identify the molecules associated with the survival of breast cancer patients. Method: Gene expression and clinical information was obtained from GSE62944 with 1119 breast cancer samples and 113 normal samples. Cox scores were calculated with supervised principal components and the correlation between gene expression and patient survival was studied. The top 25 genes with max Cox scores were selected for patient classification and the patients were classified into 4 subgroups by ConsensusCluster. And 12019 differentially expressed genes and co-expression analysis was performed to found modules changed among the subgroups. Transcription factor (TF) regulation network was constructed so as to discover the key TFs associated with cancer survival. Results: The samples were divided 4 subgroups by 25 genes with the max Cox scores and survival curve of the 4 subgroups was significantly different, however, functional enrichment analysis showed no meaningful results for the 25 genes. Subgroups 1, 2, and 4 were chosen to screen molecular mechanisms underlying the different survival curve. Then a co-expression module, which contained genes that involved in adaptive immune response, was found to associate with the survival difference among the three subgroups. In addition, the genes in the module were regulated by TF SLA2 and could predict the outcome of breast cancer more robustness and sensitivity. Conclusion: Genes involved in adaptive immune response regulated by TF SLA2 are associated with the survival of breast cancer patients.