High Expression of Asparagine Synthetase Is Associated with Poor Prognosis of Breast Cancer in Chinese Population

Aims:This study aimed to determine the expression of asparagine synthetase (ASNS) in breast cancer (BC) tissues and estimate its prognostic value for BC patients. Besides, the roles ofASNSin the proliferation of BC cells were also examined in the study. Methods:Quantitative real-time PCR was conducted to detect the expression ofASNSmRNA in BC tissues and normal controls. The relationship betweenASNSexpression and clinical characteristics of BC patients was analyzed using chi-square test. MTT assay was performed to explore the effect ofASNSexpression on the proliferation of BC cells. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to describe the overall survival rate of BC patients. Cox regression analyses were implemented to investigate prognostic factors. Results:ASNSmRNA overexpression was observed in BC tissues (p < 0.05). High expression ofASNSwas significantly related to histological grade (p = 0.017), vascular invasion (p = 0.009), and PR status (p = 0.014). The downregulation ofASNSaffected the proliferation of BC cells (p < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival showed that patients with highASNSexpression lived shorter than those with low expressions (p < 0.001). Finally, Cox regression analyses revealed thatASNScould act as a prognostic marker for BC patients (p < 0.001, HR = 3.293, 95% CI = 1.790-6.058). Conclusion:Taken together,ASNSis a valuable prognostic biomarker for BC patients.