Prognostic implications of TOR1B expression across cancer types - a focus on basal-like breast cancer and cellular adaptations to hypoxia - Research article

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel

The TOR1B gene is central to cellular homeostasis and endoplasmic reticulum stress responses, yet its cancer relevance remains limited. This study assesses TOR1B as a prognostic factor across multiple cancer types, emphasizing basal-like breast cancer (BLBC). Analyses of TCGA, TARGET, GEO, and GTEx data evaluate TOR1B expression and clinical associations, while BLBC cell line experiments test how TOR1B modulation affects viability, apoptosis, and metabolism under different oxygen levels. Results show TOR1B overexpression in BLBC and other cancers, consistently linked to worse outcomes, with hypoxia highlighting TOR1B’s role in stress adaptation and therapeutic potential.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

TOR1B in cellular homeostasis and ER stress

Rationale and research gap in tumor studies

Focus on basal-like breast cancer and prognostic relevance

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology (2024) 150:293 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-024-05794-3](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-024-05794-3) Prognostic implications ofTOR1B expression across cancer types: a focus on basal‑like breast cancer and cellular adaptations to hypoxia Yan Zhang1 · Zhongfu Cai2 · Wen Chen1 · Lei Ye1 · Xinquan Wu3 Received: 18 April 2024 / Accepted: 8 May 2024 / Published online: 6 June 2024 © The Author(s) 2024 Abstract The TOR1B gene is known to play a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and responding to endoplasmic reticulum stress. However, its involvement in cancer remains relatively understudied. This study seeks to explore the prognostic implications of TOR1B across various cancers, with a specific focus on Basal-like Breast Cancer (BLBC) and its underlying cellular mechanisms. Through comprehensive analysis of data from TCGA, TARGET, GEO, and GTEx, we investigated TOR1B expression and its correlation with patient outcomes. Furthermore, in vitro experiments conducted on BLBC cell lines examined the impact of TOR1B modulation on cell viability, apoptosis, and metabolic activity under varying oxygen levels. Our statistical analysis encompassed differential expression analysis, survival analysis, and multivariate Cox regression. Our findings indicate that TOR1B is overexpressed in BLBC and other cancers, consistently correlating with poorer prognosis. Elevated TOR1B levels were significantly associated with reduced overall and disease-free survival in BLBC patients. In vitro experiments further revealed that TOR1B knockdown augmented apoptosis and influenced metabolic activity, particularly under hypoxic conditions, highlighting its potential role in cancer cell adaptation to stress. Overall, our study underscores the importance of TOR1B in cancer progression, particularly in BLBC, where it serves as a notable prognostic indicator. The interaction between TOR1B and metabolic pathways, as well as its regulation by HIF-1α, suggests its significance in adapting to hypoxia, thereby positioning TOR1B as a promising therapeutic target for aggressive breast cancer subtypes. Keywords TOR1B · Basal-like breast cancer · Cancer prognosis · Metabolic pathways · Hypoxia · HIF-1α Abbreviations ACC Adrenocortical cancer BRCA Breast invasive carcinoma CESC Cervical and endocervical cancer CHOL Cholangiocarcinoma COAD Colon adenocarcinoma ESCA Esophageal carcinoma GBM Glioblastoma multiforme HNSC Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma KIRC Kidney clear cell carcinoma * Xinquan Wu [dr.xinquanwu@gmail.com](dr.xinquanwu@gmail.com) 1 Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian, China 2 Department of Oncology, Nanan Hospital, Nanan 362300, Fujian, China 3 Department of Breast Surgery, Women and Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, 10 Zhenhai Road, Xiamen 361003, Fujian, China KIRP LAML LGG LIHC LUAD LUSC OV PAAD PRAD SKCM STAD TGCT THCA STES GBMLGG KIPAN COADREAD TCGA GEO Kidney papillary cell carcinoma Acute myeloid leukemia Brain lower grade glioma Liver hepatocellular carcinoma Lung adenocarcinoma Lung squamous cell carcinoma Ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma Pancreatic adenocarcinoma Prostate adenocarcinoma Skin cutaneous melanoma Stomach adenocarcinoma; Testicular germ cell tumor Thyroid carcinoma Stomach and esophageal carcinoma Glioblastoma multiforme/lower grade glioma Pankidney cohort Colon adenocarcinoma/rectum adenocarcinoma esophageal carcinoma The cancer genome atlas Gene expression omnibus TARGET GTEx BLBC ER AAA + ssGSEA IHC HPA DFS OS DRFS HR CI BM BC PAM50 EMT Therapeutically applicable research to generate effective treatments The genotype-tissue expression project Basal-like breast cancer Endoplasmic reticulum A

FAQs

What is the main research question about TOR1B in this study?

The study investigates how TOR1B expression relates to patient prognosis across cancer types, with a specific emphasis on basal-like breast cancer and the cellular mechanisms involved under hypoxia.

Which datasets and analyses were used to evaluate TOR1B’s prognostic value?

The researchers used comprehensive analyses of TCGA, TARGET, GEO, and GTEx, applying differential expression analysis, survival analysis, and multivariate Cox regression to link TOR1B levels with outcomes.

How does TOR1B modulation affect BLBC cells under different oxygen conditions?

In vitro experiments show that TOR1B knockdown increases apoptosis and alters metabolic activity, especially under hypoxic conditions, supporting a role in cellular adaptation to stress.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel