Prognostic implications of complement C1q-like 4 expression in breast cancer

Abstract Higher expression of Complement C1q-like protein 4 (C1ql4) in breast cancer may be associated with increased tumor malignancy. As a protein involved in immune responses and inflammation, C1ql4 is expressed across all molecular subtypes of breast cancer. We conducted a retrospective analysis...

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Main Authors: Qing Zhang, Zhijun Xing, Lu Bai, Xiao Li, Fan Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12557-8
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author Qing Zhang
Zhijun Xing
Lu Bai
Xiao Li
Fan Xu
author_facet Qing Zhang
Zhijun Xing
Lu Bai
Xiao Li
Fan Xu
author_sort Qing Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Higher expression of Complement C1q-like protein 4 (C1ql4) in breast cancer may be associated with increased tumor malignancy. As a protein involved in immune responses and inflammation, C1ql4 is expressed across all molecular subtypes of breast cancer. We conducted a retrospective analysis and follow-up study involving 111 patients who underwent breast cancer resection at the Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College, to investigate the relationship between C1ql4 expression and overall survival, as well as to evaluate the prognostic value of C1ql4 both independently and in combination with conventional clinicopathologic parameters. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant positive difference between C1ql4 protein expression and TNM staging, as well as molecular subtypes. Moreover, patients with high C1ql4 expression demonstrated significantly poorer prognoses. In conclusion, our findings suggest that C1ql4 expression may serve as a potential biomarker for elevated breast cancer malignancy.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
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spelling doaj-art-391a77a420164ff998f1603fd7475b9f2025-08-20T04:03:00ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511910.1038/s41598-025-12557-8Prognostic implications of complement C1q-like 4 expression in breast cancerQing Zhang0Zhijun Xing1Lu Bai2Xiao Li3Fan Xu4Departments of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical UniversityDivision of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of MedicineDepartments of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical UniversityDepartments of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical UniversityDepartments of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical UniversityAbstract Higher expression of Complement C1q-like protein 4 (C1ql4) in breast cancer may be associated with increased tumor malignancy. As a protein involved in immune responses and inflammation, C1ql4 is expressed across all molecular subtypes of breast cancer. We conducted a retrospective analysis and follow-up study involving 111 patients who underwent breast cancer resection at the Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College, to investigate the relationship between C1ql4 expression and overall survival, as well as to evaluate the prognostic value of C1ql4 both independently and in combination with conventional clinicopathologic parameters. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant positive difference between C1ql4 protein expression and TNM staging, as well as molecular subtypes. Moreover, patients with high C1ql4 expression demonstrated significantly poorer prognoses. In conclusion, our findings suggest that C1ql4 expression may serve as a potential biomarker for elevated breast cancer malignancy.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12557-8
spellingShingle Qing Zhang
Zhijun Xing
Lu Bai
Xiao Li
Fan Xu
Prognostic implications of complement C1q-like 4 expression in breast cancer
Scientific Reports
title Prognostic implications of complement C1q-like 4 expression in breast cancer
title_full Prognostic implications of complement C1q-like 4 expression in breast cancer
title_fullStr Prognostic implications of complement C1q-like 4 expression in breast cancer
title_full_unstemmed Prognostic implications of complement C1q-like 4 expression in breast cancer
title_short Prognostic implications of complement C1q-like 4 expression in breast cancer
title_sort prognostic implications of complement c1q like 4 expression in breast cancer
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12557-8
work_keys_str_mv AT qingzhang prognosticimplicationsofcomplementc1qlike4expressioninbreastcancer
AT zhijunxing prognosticimplicationsofcomplementc1qlike4expressioninbreastcancer
AT lubai prognosticimplicationsofcomplementc1qlike4expressioninbreastcancer
AT xiaoli prognosticimplicationsofcomplementc1qlike4expressioninbreastcancer
AT fanxu prognosticimplicationsofcomplementc1qlike4expressioninbreastcancer