Downregulated Copper Homeostasis-Related Gene FOXO1 as a Novel Indicator for the Prognosis and Immune Response of Breast Cancer

Abstract

Copper (Cu) is one of the essential microelements for all living systems. Studies have illustrated the biological significance of Cu homeostasis in human cancers, including breast cancer (BRCA). Nevertheless, the detailed roles of Cu homeostasis in BRCA need to be further explored. Here, we identified a downregulated Cu homeostasis-related gene FOXO1 and investigated the potential functions of FOXO1 in BRCA through several bioinformation databases. The BRCA patients with high level of FOXO1 displayed favorable prognostic values. Subsequently, enrichment analysis of FOXO1 coexpressed genes revealed that the top three enriched KEGG pathways were spliceosome, oxidative phosphorylation, and ribosome. Immunoinfiltration analysis indicated that aberrantly expressed FOXO1 showed positive correlations with the subcellular infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils in BRCA. Moreover, FOXO1 expression was positively associated with multiple immune checkpoints, such as sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 15 (SIGLEC15), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1/CD274), hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2 (HAVCR2), programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1), cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), and programmed cell death 1 ligand 2 (PDCD1LG2). Overall, these findings would deepen our understanding of FOXO1 in BRCA prognosis and immunotherapy response, representing a promising therapeutic strategy for BRCA patients.