Eight potential biomarkers for distinguishing between lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Jian Xiao,Wei Li,Aibin Liu,Xi Chen,Qiong Chen,Xiaoxiao Lu,Shuya He,Bixiu He,Yong Zou

doi:10.18632/oncotarget.17606

Abstract

Lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) are the most common non-small cell lung cancer histological phenotypes. Accurate diagnosis distinguishing between these two lung cancer types has clinical significance. For this study, we analyzed four Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE28571, GSE37745, GSE43580, and GSE50081). We then imported the datasets into the Gene-Cloud of Biotechnology Information online platform to identify genes differentially expressed in LADC and LSCC. We identified DSG3 (desmoglein 3), KRT5 (keratin 5), KRT6A (keratin 6A), KRT6B (keratin 6B), NKX2-1 (NK2 homeobox 1), SFTA2 (surfactant associated 2), SFTA3 (surfactant associated 3), and TMC5 (transmembrane channel-like 5) as potential biomarkers for distinguishing between LADC and LSCC. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that KRT5 had the highest diagnostic value for discriminating between these two cancer types. Using the PrognoScan online survival analysis tool and the Kaplan-Meier Plotter, we found that high KRT6A or KRT6B levels, or low NKX2-1, SFTA3, or TMC5 levels correlated with unfavorable prognoses in LADC patients. Further studies will be needed to verify our findings in additional patient samples, and to elucidate the mechanisms of action of these potential biomarkers in non-small cell lung cancer.

Highlights

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for more than 85% of total lung cancer cases [1], and 5-year patient survival remains low at only 15.9% [1]
Using the PrognoScan online survival analysis tool and the Kaplan-Meier Plotter, we found that high KRT6A or KRT6B levels, or low NKX2-1, SFTA3, or TMC5 levels correlated with unfavorable prognoses in Lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) patients
We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between LADC and LSCC samples through differential expression analysis in Gene-Cloud of Biotechnology Information (GCBI), and found that DSG3, KRT5, KRT6A, KRT6B, NKX2-1, SFTA2, SFTA3, and TMC5 were potential biomarkers for distinguishing the two cancer types

Summary

Introduction

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for more than 85% of total lung cancer cases [1], and 5-year patient survival remains low at only 15.9% [1]. LADC cells commonly exhibit abnormal gene expression patterns and large numbers of gene mutations [2], and are characterized by specific biomarkers[3,4,5,6,7] and prognostic factors [8,9,10] that can be used to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment. LSCC cells exhibit complex genomic alterations, including numerous gene mutations and copy number alterations [11], and are associated with particular biomarkers [12,13,14] and prognostic factors [15,16,17]. Accurate diagnosis of the LADC and LSCC cancer types has important significance for lung patient clinical treatment. The present study identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between LADC and LSCC samples using comprehensive bioinformatics analyses. We identified eight potential biomarkers for discriminating LADC and LSCC, and assessed their prognostic values

Methods

Results

Conclusion