NEK2 and breast cancer: Finally, IHC data from the HPA database and <i>in vitro</i> experiments, including siRNA-mediated knockdown, Western blot, CCK-8 proliferation assay, confocal microscopy and drug prediction were performed to validate the expression and biological functions of candidate biomarkers PBK and NEK2.<h4>Result</h4>Through dual validation of K-M survival analysis and ROC diagnosis-treatment efficacy analysis, we ultimately identified 9 mitophagy-related prognostic biomarkers for BC, and found their expression was significantly upregulated in BC tissues.