Fig. 7: Low PIPP/PTEN mRNA expression correlates with reduced survival in breast cancer patients.

A Normalized PTEN mRNA expression was determined by qPCR using TissueScan Breast Cancer Arrays I-IV with PTEN and β-actin primers. The data are displayed as box and whiskers on a log scale. The center line indicates the median; the box extends from the 25th to 75th percentiles and the whiskers extend from the minimum to maximum values. PTEN mRNA expression was correlated with ER (140 cases), p values were determined using an unpaired t test. B PIPP mRNA expression was correlated with normal versus low PTEN mRNA expression in TissueScan Breast Cancer Arrays I-IV (Normal PTEN expression n = 82; low PTEN mRNA (2-fold reduction relative to normal breast tissue) n = 92). The data are displayed as box and whiskers on a log scale. The center line indicates the median; the box extends from the 25th to 75th percentiles, and the whiskers extend from the minimum to maximum values. C Breast cancer cases in TissueScan Breast Cancer Arrays I-IV were scored for normal (PIPP + /PTEN + ) versus low (PIPP-/PTEN-) PIPP and PTEN mRNA expression in ER+ and ER– tumors (170 cases). Significance was determined using a two-sided Fisher’s exact test (p < 0.001). D Breast cancer cases in TissueScan Breast Cancer Arrays I-IV were scored for normal versus low PIPP and PTEN mRNA expression relative to breast cancer subtype (133 cases). E PIPP mRNA expression was correlated with PTEN alterations in the METABRIC dataset. PIPP expression was correlated with unaltered PTEN versus altered PTEN (mutated and/or low expression). The data are displayed as box and whiskers. The center line indicates the median; the box extends from the 25th to 75th percentiles, and the whiskers extend from the minimum to maximum values. p-values were determined using an unpaired t-test. F–J Breast cancer cases in the METABRIC dataset were scored for reduced PIPP expression and/or PTEN expression (Z-score threshold of <1.5 relative to all breast cancers in the cohort) and/or PTEN mutation and correlated with ER (F), PR (G), HER2 (H), breast cancer subtype (I) or tumor grade (J). K Overall survival analysis in breast cancer patients using the METABRIC dataset. Samples were dichotomized for high PIPP/PTEN gene expression (>40th percentile) versus low PIPP/PTEN gene expression (<40th percentile). Statistical significance for 10-year survival was determined using a log-rank test. L Disease-free survival analysis in breast cancer patients using the TCGA Pan Cancer dataset. Samples were dichotomized for high PIPP/PTEN gene expression (>40th percentile) versus low PIPP/PTEN gene expression (<40th percentile). Statistical significance was determined using a log-rank test.