https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1937-6684
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Abstract
Aims: HOX clusters encode proteins that play pivotal roles in regulating transcription factors and many other proteins during embryogenesis. However, little is known about the diagnostic and prognostic values of HOXC family members in gastric cancer (GC). Materials and methods: The authors evaluated the data in patients with GC based on bioinformatics analysis. Results:HOXC6/8/9/10/11/13 were overexpressed in GC and associated with a poor prognosis. HOXC4/5 were downregulated in GC tissues. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that they have high diagnostic value. In addition, HOXC4/5/6/9/10/11/13 were negatively correlated with DNA methylation level. The gene set enrichment analysis results implied that they play essential roles in multiple biological processes underlying tumorigenesis. Conclusion:HOXC family members are potential targets for diagnosis and may work as prognostic biomarkers of GC.
Lay abstracts
Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive system and the third most common cause of death from cancer. Since GC is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, despite advances in comprehensive treatment strategies, its mortality rate is still very high. GC is a disease that is highly heterogeneous in terms of genotype and phenotype. Therefore, a more complete understanding of the molecular mechanism of GC carcinogenesis and identification of reliable molecular targets for the diagnosis and prognosis of GC are highly valued. It is well known that the HOXC gene family expression is upregulated in most solid tumor types, such as lung cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer. The authors explore the role of the HOXC gene family in GC. Results demonstrated that HOXC family members are potential targets for diagnosis and may work as prognostic biomarkers of GC.
Supplementary data
To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper please visit the journal website at: www.tandfonline.com/doi/suppl/10.2217/fon-2021-0291
Author contributions
MQ Wang and QY Yin conceived the project and wrote the manuscript. YR Chen participated in data analysis. S Zhu supervised the literature investigation, statistical analysis, and reviewed the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
This study was supported by Guangzhou Science and Technology Development Funds (Key Program no. 201803010103). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
Ethical conduct of research
The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Mei-Qian Wang
Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Qi-Yun Yin
Department of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
Yi-Ru Chen
Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Sen-Lin Zhu
Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China