Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Real-Time Monitoring of Aurora kinase A Activation using Conformational FRET Biosensors in Live Cells
Published on: July 30, 2020
Elevated expression of Aurora-A/AURKA in breast cancer associates with younger age and aggressive features
L M Ingebriktsen1, R O C Humlevik1, A A Svanøe1
1Department of Clinical Medicine, Section for Pathology, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Background And Objective:
Aurora kinase A (AURKA) is reported to be overexpressed in breast cancer. In addition to its role in regulating cell cycle and mitosis, studies have reported AURKA involvements in oncogenic signaling in suppressing BRCA1 and BRCA2. We aimed to characterize AURKA protein and mRNA expression in a breast cancer cohort of the young, investigating its relation to clinico-pathologic features and survival, and exploring age-related AURKA-associated biological processes.
Methods:
Aurora kinase A immunohistochemical staining was performed on tissue microarrays of primary tumors from an in-house breast cancer cohort (n = 355) with information on clinico-pathologic data, molecular markers, and long and complete follow-up. A subset of the in-house cohort (n = 127) was studied by the NanoString Breast Cancer 360 expression panel for exploration of mRNA expression. METABRIC cohorts < 50 years at breast cancer diagnosis (n = 368) were investigated for differentially expressed genes and enriched gene sets in AURKA mRNA high tumors stratified by age. Differentially expressed genes and gene sets were investigated using network analyses and g:Profiler.
Results:
High Aurora kinase A protein expression associated with aggressive clinico-pathologic features, a basal-like subtype, and high risk of recurrence score. These patterns were confirmed using mRNA data. High AURKA gene expression demonstrated independent prognostic value when adjusted for traditional clinico-pathologic features and molecular subtypes. Notably, high AURKA expression significantly associated with reduced disease-specific survival within patients below 50 years, also within the luminal A subtype. Tumors of high AURKA expression showed gene expression patterns reflecting increased DNA damage activation and higher BRCAness score.
Conclusions:
Our findings indicate higher AURKA expression in young breast cancer, and associations between high Aurora-A/AURKA and aggressive tumor features, including higher tumor cell proliferation, and shorter survival, in the young. Our findings point to AURKA as a marker for increased DNA damage and DNA repair deficiency and suggest AURKA as a biomarker of clinical relevance in young breast cancer.
Insights
High Aurora kinase A (AURKA) expression is linked to aggressive features and poorer survival in young breast cancer patients. AURKA may serve as a biomarker for DNA damage and repair deficiency in this demographic.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Aurora kinase A (AURKA) is implicated in cell cycle regulation and oncogenic signaling, including the suppression of BRCA1 and BRCA2.
- Overexpression of AURKA is observed in breast cancer, particularly in younger patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize AURKA protein and mRNA expression in a cohort of young breast cancer patients.
- To investigate the relationship between AURKA expression and clinico-pathologic features, survival outcomes, and age-related biological processes.
- To explore AURKA's potential as a biomarker in young breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining for AURKA protein on primary tumors from an in-house cohort (n=355).
- mRNA expression analysis using NanoString Breast Cancer 360 panel on a subset (n=127).
- Analysis of METABRIC cohorts (n=368, age <50) for differentially expressed genes and enriched gene sets in high AURKA tumors, using network analyses and g:Profiler.
Main Results:
- High AURKA protein and mRNA expression correlated with aggressive clinico-pathologic features, basal-like subtype, and high recurrence risk.
- High AURKA expression was an independent prognostic factor and significantly associated with reduced disease-specific survival in patients under 50, including the luminal A subtype.
- Tumors with high AURKA expression exhibited patterns of increased DNA damage activation and higher BRCAness scores.
Conclusions:
- Elevated AURKA expression is prevalent in young breast cancer and associated with aggressive tumor characteristics and diminished survival.
- AURKA serves as a potential biomarker indicating increased DNA damage and repair deficiency in young breast cancer patients.
- AURKA holds clinical relevance as a biomarker for young breast cancer, highlighting its aggressive nature and potential therapeutic targets.
Related Concept Videos
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
02:07Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...