Identification of RAD54 homolog B as a promising therapeutic target for breast cancer

Breast cancer is a recognized threat to the health of women globally. Due to the lack of the knowledge about the molecular pathogenesis of breast cancer, therapeutic strategies remain inadequate, especially for aggressive breast cancer. In the present study, sequential bioinformatics analysis was performed using data from the GSE20711 dataset, and the results demonstrated that three genes may impact the survival of patients with breast cancer. One of these genes, RAD54 homolog B (RAD54B), may be a potential prognostic factor for breast cancer. A signature was established that could evaluate the overall survival for patients with breast cancer based on the risk score calculated from RAD54B expression and the Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage [risk score=expRAD54B × 0.236 + TNM stage (I/II=0 or III/IV=1) ×1.025]. In addition, based on the GSE85871 dataset and inhibitory assay, the study identified a natural compound, Japonicone A, which may reduce the proliferation of breast cancer cells by inhibiting the expression of RAD54B. Overall, the present study identified a novel candidate gene and a candidate compound as promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of breast cancer.