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Performing Data Mining And Integrative Analysis Of Biomarker in Breast Cancer Using Multiple Publicly Accessible Databases
Published on: May 17, 2019
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Paired-Box (PAX) Gene Signatures as a Biomarker of Breast Cancer Progression
Manuel Scimeca1, Maria Paola Scioli1, Valeria Palumbo1
1Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Paired-box (PAX) transcription factors regulate key breast cancer hallmarks like proliferation, cell death, and immune evasion. PAX-based signatures show potential as biomarkers for predicting metastasis and guiding therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer death in women.
- Existing therapies are ineffective for many patients, necessitating research into new molecular targets.
- The role of Paired-box (PAX) transcription factors in breast cancer progression is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between PAX family members and fundamental cancer hallmarks in breast cancer.
- To identify PAX-based molecular signatures for predicting treatment resistance and metastasis.
- To establish PAX transcription factors as potential biomarkers for prognostic refinement and therapeutic stratification.
Main Methods:
- Multi-level analysis integrating RNA sequencing and protein profiling.
- Analysis of twenty-one primary breast carcinoma samples.
- Correlation analysis between PAX members and cancer hallmarks (proliferation, cell death, EMT, immune evasion, genomic instability).
Main Results:
- Distinct PAX members correlate with specific cancer hallmarks.
- PAX1 and PAX9 show dual roles in regulating cell fate (proliferation and apoptosis).
- PAX3, PAX5, and PAX8 associate with immune checkpoint expression (PD-L1, TIGIT).
- PAX6 is linked to genomic instability (microsatellite instability, tumor mutational burden).
- PAX-based signatures (PAX2-PAX7) accurately predict lymph node metastasis.
Conclusions:
- PAX transcription factors are key modulators of breast cancer biology.
- PAX-based molecular signatures can predict lymph node metastasis.
- PAX factors hold potential as clinical biomarkers for prognosis and therapy selection.
