Thymosin beta 15A (TMSB15A) is a predictor of chemotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer

S. Darb-Esfahani*, R. Kronenwett, G. Von Minckwitz, C. Denkert, M. Gehrmann, A. Rody, J. Budczies, J. C. Brase, M. K. Mehta, H. Bojar, B. Ataseven, T. Karn, E. Weiss, D. M. Zahm, F. Khandan, M. Dietel, S. Loibl

*Corresponding author for this work
5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background:Biomarkers predictive of pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) of breast cancer are urgently needed.Methods:Using a training/validation approach for detection of predictive biomarkers in HER2-negative breast cancer, pre-therapeutic core biopsies from four independent cohorts were investigated: Gene array data were analysed in fresh frozen samples of two cohorts (n86 and n55). Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples from two neoadjuvant phase III trials (GeparTrio, n212, and GeparQuattro, n383).Results:A strong predictive capacity of thymosin beta 15 (TMSB15A) gene expression was evident in both fresh frozen cohorts (P0.0001; P0.0042). In the GeparTrio FFPE training cohort, a significant linear correlation between TMSB15A expression and pCR was apparent in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (n61, P0.040). A cutoff point was then defined that divided TNBC into a low and a high expression group (pCR rate 16.0% vs 47.2%). Both linear correlation of TMSB15A mRNA levels (P0.017) and the pre-defined cutoff point were validated in 134 TNBC from GeparQuattro (pCR rate 36.8% vs 17.0%, P0.020). No significant predictive capacity was observed in luminal carcinomas from GeparTrio and GeparQuattro.Conclusion:In TNBC, TMSB15A gene expression analysis might help to select patients with a high chance for pCR after NACT.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBritish Journal of Cancer
Volume107
Issue number11
Pages (from-to)1892-1900
Number of pages9
ISSN0007-0920
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20.11.2012

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