Low nuclear zinc finger and BTB domain containing 7A expression is an independent prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast

The role of zinc finger and BTB domain containing 7A (ZBTB7A) in oncogenesis has been shown to be context-dependent, participating in pro-oncogenic or oncosuppressive mechanisms by directly regulating gene transcription or by interacting with other regulatory proteins. Alterations in ZBTB7A expression have been associated with worse prognosis. We examined ZBTB7A protein expression in breast carcinoma tissue samples and analyzed its clinical and prognostic significance. Tissue microarray blocks from 196 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) were immunostained and < 65% positively stained tumor cell nuclei were defined as low ZBTB7A expression. Of 196 IDC cases, 120 (61.2%) showed low ZBTB7A expression. Low nuclear ZBTB7A expression was associated with larger tumor size, higher histological grade, estrogen receptor negativity, progesterone receptor negativity, triple negativity, and recurrence. Cytoplasmic ZBTB7A expression was not associated with any clinicopathological characteristics. In univariate survival analysis, nuclear ZBTB7A expression did not affect overall or recurrence-free survival. However, multivariate survival analysis revealed that ZBTB7A independently predicted recurrence-free survival of IDC patients. Reduced ZBTB7A expression is associated with aggressive oncogenic behavior of IDC. ZBTB7A expression may be a novel prognostic biomarker for predicting recurrence-free survival of IDC patients.