An integrated bioinformatical analysis to evaluate the role of KIF4A as a prognostic biomarker for breast cancer

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of human kinesin family member 4A (KIF4A) as an effective biomarker for breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cancer Genome Atlas data and 12 independent public breast cancer microarray data sets were downloaded and analyzed using individual and pooled approaches. RESULTS: The results of our study revealed a strong and positive correlation between KIF4A expression and malignant features of breast cancer. KIF4A had a strong prognostic value in both ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancers comparable to or even better than tumor size, lymph node invasion, and Elston grade. We also found that KIF4A might be the target gene of microRNA-335, which can suppress KIF4A expression by targeting the 3′-untranslated region of its mRNA. CONCLUSION: KIF4A might serve as a robust prognostic predictor for breast cancer. Targeting KIF4A activity could be a promising therapeutic option in breast cancer treatment.