Overexpression of NF-kB as a predictor of neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Cancer cells can defend themselves against apoptosis by activating NF-κB. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity has also been associated with chemotherapy resistance.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the relationship between NF-κB expression and intrinsic subtypes and anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy responses in patients with locally advanced breast cancer.
METHODS: This prospective cohort study examined NF-κB expression and intrinsic subtypes of breast cancer tissue using immunohistochemistry (IHC). We conducted descriptive statistical analyses as well as survival analyses.
RESULTS: The study sample was 63 patients, of which 21 cases (33.33%) were responsive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 42 cases (66.7%) were non-responsive. There is a significant relationship between negative ER, negative PR, grading, and high Ki67 expression with NF-κB overexpression (p < 0.05). No significant relationship was found between intrinsic subtypes and HER2with NF-κB expression (p > 0.05). A significant relationship was found between NF-κB expression and responsive chemotherapy results (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: In locally advanced breast cancer, there is a correlation between NF-B expression and response to anthracycline- based neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients who express NF-KB have a better response to chemotherapy than those who overexpress NF-kB.