High SLC20A1 Expression Is Associated With Poor Prognoses in Claudin-low and Basal-like Breast Cancers

Abstract

Background/aim: SLC20A1 has been identified as a prognostic marker in ER+ breast cancer. However, the role of SLC20A1 expression in breast cancer subtypes other than the ER+ types remains unclear.

Materials and methods: Genomics datasets were downloaded and analyzed, and the effect of SLC20A1 knockdown using targeted siRNA on cell viability and tumor-sphere formation was assessed.

Results: SLC20A1^high patients with ER+, claudin-low or basal-like breast cancers showed poor prognoses. SLC20A1^high patients treated with radiotherapy had poor clinical outcomes. SLC20A1 knockdown suppressed the viability of MDA-MB 231 (claudin-low), MDA-MB 468 (basal-like) and MCF-7 (ER+) cells, and tumor-sphere formation by ALDH1^high cells. These results suggest that SLC20A1 is involved in cancer progression and contributes to clinical outcomes in patients with ER+, claudin-low and basal-like breast cancers.

Conclusion: SLC20A1 is a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target in ER+, claudin-low and basal-like breast cancers.

Keywords: ALDH1; Breast cancer; SLC20A1; basal-like; cancer stem cell; claudin-low; prognostic marker.