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ALKBH7 and NLRP3 Co-Expression: A Potential Prognostic and Immunometabolic Marker Set in Breast Cancer Subtypes
Adem Senturk1, Nur Kazan2, Selen Sen3
1Department of Surgical Oncology, Sakarya University, Sakarya Training and Research Hospital, 54100 Sakarya, Turkey.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 11, 2025
Summary
This study reveals that ALKBH7 and NLRP3 gene expression varies by breast cancer subtype, with higher levels in HER2+ tumors. Their co-expression suggests a role in tumor microenvironment and potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Breast cancer (BC) is a complex disease with diverse molecular subtypes.
- Immunometabolic pathways are increasingly recognized for their role in BC progression and treatment resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of ALKBH7 and NLRP3 across different BC molecular subtypes.
- To explore the relationship between ALKBH7, NLRP3, and clinicopathological parameters, including immunometabolic profiles.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze ALKBH7 and NLRP3 gene expression in 118 BC patients across HER2+, TNBC, Luminal A, and Luminal B subtypes.
- Correlations between gene expression and clinical markers were assessed.
Main Results:
- Significant variations in ALKBH7 and NLRP3 expression were observed across BC subtypes, with peak expression in HER2+ tumors.
- A strong positive correlation between ALKBH7 and NLRP3 was found in all subtypes, especially HER2+ (r = 0.812).
- NLRP3 expression correlated with Ki-67 in Luminal B tumors, linking inflammation and proliferation.
Conclusions:
- ALKBH7 may act as a dual biomarker involved in metabolic adaptation and immune signaling in breast cancer.
- The co-expression of ALKBH7 and NLRP3 suggests a functional link critical for shaping the tumor microenvironment.
- This co-expression, particularly in aggressive subtypes like HER2+ and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), represents a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic vulnerability.
