Identification of Potential Biomarkers Associated with Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Yong Liu,Hui Liu,Queqiao Bian

doi:10.1155/2020/2073690

Abstract

Purpose This work is aimed at identifying several molecular markers correlated with the diagnosis and development of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Methods The available microarray datasets for BCC were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between BCC and healthy controls. Afterward, the functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of these screened DEGs were performed. An external validation for the DEG expression level was also carried out, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic values of DEGs. Result In total, five microarray datasets for BCC were downloaded and 804 DEGs (414 upregulated and 390 downregulated genes) were identified. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these genes including CYFIP2, HOXB5, EGFR, FOXN3, PTPN3, CDC20, MARCKSL1, FAS, and PTCH1 were closely correlated with the cell process and PTCH1 played central roles in the BCC signaling pathway. Moreover, EGFR was a hub gene in the PPI network. The expression changes of six genes (CYFIP2, HOXB5, FOXN3, PTPN3, MARCKSL1, and FAS) were validated by an external GSE74858 dataset analysis. Finally, ROC analysis revealed that CYFIP2, HOXB5, PTPN3, MARCKSL1, PTCH1, and CDC20 could distinguish BCC and healthy individuals. Conclusion Nine gene signatures (CYFIP2, HOXB5, EGFR, FOXN3, PTPN3, CDC20, MARCKSL1, FAS, and PTCH1) may serve as promising targets for BCC detection and development.

Highlights

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of common malignant epithelial neoplasms that derive from basal cells and accounts for nearly 75% of skin cancers [1]
A total of 804 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were extracted between BCC and normal controls according to screening criteria described in Materials and Methods
Our findings revealed that CYFIP2 (AUC = 0:949), HOXB5 (AUC = 0:908), PTPN3 (AUC = 0:952), MARCKSL1 (AUC = 0:962), PTCH1 (AUC = 0:981), and CDC20 (AUC = 0:956) could significantly distinguish BCC samples and healthy controls, implying that these genes might serve as diagnostic makers for BCC detection (Figure 5)

Summary

Introduction

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of common malignant epithelial neoplasms that derive from basal cells and accounts for nearly 75% of skin cancers [1]. It was reported that the BCC incidence rates have been increasing and roughly reached 2.75 million cases around the world [2]. The majority of lesions for BCC occurred on the head and neck [3]. The convincing evidence has suggested that gender, age, sunlight exposure (especially ultraviolet radiation), smoking, chemicals, and fair skin were all BCC risk factors [4, 5]. The imiquimod application, surgical excision, and radiation therapy have been unsatisfactory for BCC treatment. It is imperative to develop promising strategies for early diagnosis and intervention of BCC

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