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Updated: Jan 28, 2026
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Live Imaging of Drug Responses in the Tumor Microenvironment in Mouse Models of Breast Cancer
Published on: March 24, 2013
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Tumor Microenvironment Characterization Identifies KIF15 as an Immunosuppressive Driver in Breast Cancer
Bo Zhang1, Feiran Wang2, Huiwei Huang3
1Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China, ahnmc.com.
Human Mutation
|January 26, 2026
Summary
A novel TMEscore predicts better breast cancer survival and immunotherapy response. KIF15 drives an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, offering therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Genomics
Background:
- The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises diverse cells crucial for tumor progression.
- Stromal cells in the TME are genetically stable, influencing recurrence and drug resistance.
- TME composition holds significant clinicopathological and prognostic value.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the breast cancer TME in correlation with genomic and clinical data.
- To develop a quantitative TMEscore for assessing TME phenotypes.
- To identify key molecular drivers within the TME.
Main Methods:
- Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of 830 breast cancer tumors.
- Principal component analysis to construct a TMEscore.
- TME gene signature analysis to identify pivotal genes.
Main Results:
- Three distinct TME phenotypes were identified.
- A high TMEscore correlated with superior patient survival.
- High TMEscore indicated improved response to immunotherapy.
- KIF15 was identified as a driver of immunosuppression, potentially affecting immune cell infiltration.
Conclusions:
- The TMEscore is an independent prognostic biomarker for breast cancer.
- KIF15 is a critical molecular determinant of the immunosuppressive TME.
- Targeting KIF15 may enhance anti-tumor immunity.
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