TRPS1 Expression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and Its Association with the Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
N.V. Krakhmal, S.V. Vtorushin

 
For citation: Krakhmal NV, Vtorushin SV. TRPS1 Expression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and Its Association with the Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy. International Journal of Biomedicine. 2026;16(1):53-58. doi:10.21103/Article16(1)_OA6
 
Originally published March 5, 2026

Abstract: 

Background. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by pronounced biological heterogeneity and variable sensitivity to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, underscoring the need for additional diagnostic and predictive biomarkers. TRPS1, a GATA family transcription factor, has been identified as a highly sensitive marker of mammary differentiation; however, its clinical relevance in TNBC remains insufficiently explored.
Methods and Results. The aim of this study was to evaluate TRPS1 expression in TNBC and to assess its association with clinicopathological features, stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This single-center retrospective study included 54 patients with invasive TNBC treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. TRPS1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry using an H-score-based approach. Stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were evaluated on hematoxylin and eosin-stained tumor slides. Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was assessed by the rate of pathological complete response and the Residual Cancer Burden classification.  High TRPS1 expression was detected in 53.7% of cases and was associated with a significantly higher pathological complete response rate (51.7% vs. 20.0%, P=0.016), a more favorable distribution of Residual Cancer Burden categories, and higher levels of stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Overall, TRPS1 expression in TNBC was associated with improved response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Conclusions. TRPS1 expression in TNBC is associated with enhanced sensitivity to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and may be considered not only a diagnostic marker of mammary differentiation but also a potential predictive marker of treatment response.

Keywords: 
TRPS1• triple-negative breast cancer • neoadjuvant chemotherapy • pathological complete response • residual cancer burden
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Received January 10, 2026.
Accepted February 17, 2026.
©2026 International Medical Research and Development Corporation.