ZCCHC10 as a novel prognostic biomarker associated with immune infiltration in breast cancer

Abstract

CCHC zinc finger protein 10 (ZCCHC10) has been implicated in the progression of multiple malignancies, but its prognostic value and role in immune infiltration in breast cancer remain unclear. In this study, we systematically analyzed ZCCHC10 expression using public databases and validated the findings by immunohistochemistry. Associations with clinicopathological features and patient prognosis were assessed, and a prognostic nomogram was constructed. Co-expression networks and gene set enrichment analysis were used to explore functional pathways, while immune infiltration was evaluated and potential therapeutic agents were predicted. Functional assays, including proliferation and colony formation experiments, were performed to examine the biological role of ZCCHC10 in vitro. Our results demonstrated that ZCCHC10 was significantly upregulated in breast cancer and associated with poor prognosis and adverse clinicopathological characteristics. Enrichment analysis indicated involvement in immune-related pathways, and its expression correlated with immune cell infiltration and immunomodulators. Drug sensitivity prediction suggested Ipatasertib as a candidate targeted therapy requiring experimental verification. Knockdown of ZCCHC10 markedly inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation. Collectively, these findings suggest that ZCCHC10 serves as a prognostic biomarker and a key regulator of immune infiltration in breast cancer.