In human breast cancer tissues, genomic analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database revealed coamplification of TRAF2 and FAK in breast cancer tissues with a predictive value for shorter survival, further supporting a potential role of TRAF2-FAK cooperative signaling in cancer progression.
Here, we report that stable overexpression of TRAF2 in parental and osteotropic sub-clones of human MDA-MB-231 (MDA-231) breast cancer cells increased cell growth and motility in vitro, whereas TRAF2 knockdown was inhibitory.
TRAF2 and nuclear TRAF4 expression in malignant pleural effusion cells may represent potential prognostic factors and biomarkers of invasion and metastasis in breast cancer.
In conclusion, miR-502-5p may act as a tumor-suppressor gene by targeting oncogenic TRAF2 in breast cancer and, therefore, may be a potential diagnostic and anticancer therapeutic marker for breast cancer.