PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway expression profiling reveals age- and subtype-specific molecular heterogeneity in the Nigerian breast cancer landscape

Abstract

Nigerian breast cancer exhibits profound molecular heterogeneity governed by both subtype and age. ER+ and ER+/PR+ tumors maintain DNA repair and apoptotic competence despite high proliferative signaling, HER2+ and TNBC subtypes display genomic instability and apoptotic evasion. Critically, the study identifies an evolving biological "engine, " transitioning from AKT/hTERT-driven growth in young patients to a MAPK/NF-κB-dominant inflammatory profile and genomic collapse in older cohorts, necessitating age-tailored precision oncology and targeted inhibitors.