Prognostic significance of CDC25C in lung adenocarcinoma: An analysis of TCGA data

Abstract

ObjectiveCell division cycle 25C (CDC25C) is involved in the regulation of the G2/M phase transition and is associated with various cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer. We evaluated its prognostic value in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) based on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). MethodsKruskal–Wallis test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and logistic regression were used to evaluate relationships between clinical-pathologic features and CDC25C expression. Cox regression analyses and the Kaplan–Meier method were used to evaluate factors contributing to prognosis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed. ResultsHigh CDC25C expression in LUAD was associated with a high tumor extent (odds ratio (OR) = 2.23 (1.52–3.29), P < 0.001), regional lymph node invasion (OR = 2.18 (1.48–3.22), P < 0.001), OR = advanced stage (OR = 2.47 (1.72–3.59), P < 0.001), and poor status (OR = 1.87 (1.19–2.96), P = 0.007). A univariate analysis showed that high CDC25C expression is associated with a short overall survival (OS) (HR: 1.873; 95% CI: 1.385–2.535; P < 0.001) and poor progression-free survival (HR: 1.503; 95% CI: 1.173–1.926; P = 0.0012). In a multivariate analysis, high CDC25C expression was associated with poor OS (HR = 2.193; CI: 1.394–3.452, P = 0.001). GSEA showed the enrichment of cell cycle, apoptosis, p53-dependent G1 DNA damage response, S-phase, mitotic M-M G1 phases, and FA-mediated cell death in the CDC25C high-expression phenotype. ConclusionsCDC25C predicts poor prognosis in LUAD and may function in cell cycle regulation and FAS-mediated apoptosis.