Association of radiotherapy with atrial fibrillation-related gene expression in breast cancer patients: a study based on the TCGA-BRCA database

作者：Huai Lan, Chao Zhang, Xinyi Huang, Boxuan Sun, Li Zhu, Yuan Wang, Liming Yu, Huishan Wang · 发表于：Discover Oncology · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1007/s12672-026-04468-5 · 研究领域：Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes、Ferroptosis and cancer prognosis、Biomarkers in Disease Mechanisms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer may increase atrial fibrillation (AF) risk. This study explored the association between RT and expression of AF-related genes in breast tumor tissues. METHODS: A total of 1094 breast cancer patients (RT group: 1020; non-RT group: 74) were included based on inclusion criteria. Clinical data and RNA-seq profiles (TPM) were retrieved. Six AF-related genes (MYBPC3, LMNA, PKP2, FAM189A2, KDM5B, MYL4) were analyzed. Gene expression was compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test after Log2(TPM + 1) transformation. Subgroup analyses were conducted by AJCC stage (I–III), laterality (left/right), age (< 65/≥65 years), clinical subtype (Luminal, HER2-positive, Triple-negative), and PAM50 molecular subtype (Basal, Her2, LumA, LumB, Normal). Multivariate linear regression was applied to evaluate RT’s independent effect on gene expression. RESULTS: In tumor tissues, expression levels of MYBPC3, LMNA, and MYL4 were significantly higher in the RT group compared to the non-RT group.Subgroup analysis revealed higher MYBPC3 expression in the RT group specifically in Stage III tumors, but lower expression in left-sided tumors and in patients < 65 years old. LMNA expression was higher in the RT group in Stage III tumors. MYL4 expression was higher in the RT group in Stage II tumors, in both left and right-sided tumors, and in both age groups (< 65 and ≥ 65 years). No significant differences were found across clinical or molecular subtypes for...