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TOMM40/FADS2 Expression Ratio Predicts the Sensitivity to mTOR Inhibitors in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Salman Mohamed Farah1, Jing-Quan Zheng2,3,4, Leon Tsung-Ju Lee2,5,6

  • 1International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Cancer Medicine
|July 18, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The TOMM40/FADS2 ratio can predict triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patient response to mTOR inhibitors. A higher ratio indicates greater sensitivity, offering a new therapeutic strategy for TNBC treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genomics
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks ER, PR, and HER2 expression.
  • TNBC presents a challenge due to limited predictive biomarkers for targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Identify novel predictive biomarkers for TNBC treatment response.
  • Investigate the role of MTORC1 pathway genes in TNBC prognosis.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatics analysis of TCGA and GEO databases for DEGs in MTORC1 pathway.
  • Cox regression for prognostic factor identification.
  • Western blotting and IHC for gene expression validation.

Main Results:

  • Identified FADS2 (protective) and TOMM40 (risk) as prognostic genes.
  • A higher TOMM40/FADS2 ratio correlates with poor TNBC outcomes and advanced stage.
  • TNBC cells with higher TOMM40/FADS2 ratios show increased sensitivity to mTOR inhibitors.

Conclusions:

  • The TOMM40/FADS2 ratio serves as a predictive biomarker for TNBC sensitivity to mTOR inhibitors.
  • This ratio offers a potential new therapeutic strategy for TNBC management.
Keywords:
FADS2TOMM40mTOR inhibitormTORC1triple–negative breast cancer

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