Methylation-related differentially expressed genes as potential prognostic biomarkers for cervical cancer
Yili Chen,
Qiaojian Zou,
Qianrun Chen,
Shuyi Wang,
Qiqiao Du,
Qiuwen Mai,
Xiaojun Wang,
Xiaoying Lin,
Liu Du,
Shuzhong Yao,
Junxiu Liu
Affiliations
Yili Chen
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Guangzhou, 510000, China; Corresponding authors. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
Qiaojian Zou
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Guangzhou, 510000, China
Qianrun Chen
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Guangzhou, 510000, China
Shuyi Wang
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, 266000, China
Qiqiao Du
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Guangzhou, 510000, China
Qiuwen Mai
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Guangzhou, 510000, China
Xiaojun Wang
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Guangzhou, 510000, China
Xiaoying Lin
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Guangzhou, 510000, China
Liu Du
Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
Shuzhong Yao
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Guangzhou, 510000, China; Corresponding authors. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
Junxiu Liu
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Guangzhou, 510000, China; Corresponding authors. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
Aim: To discover novel methylation-related differentially expressed genes (MRDEGs) for cervical cancer, with a focus on their potential for early diagnosis and prognostic assessment. Materials & methods: We integrated data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. TCGA-MRDEGs were identified by analyzing differentially methylated genes (DMGs) and their correlation with gene expression. We examined GEO datasets GSE39001, GSE9750, and GSE46306 for GEO-MRDEGs. Overlapping MRDEGs were subjected to overall survival (OS) analysis to identify prognostic markers. The expression and methylation levels of these genes were validated in a total of 30 tissue samples, comprising 20 from cervical cancer patients and 10 from normal cervical tissues, using qRT-PCR and MassARRAY EpiTYPER Assay. Results: A total of 314 TCGA-MRDEGs and 40 GEO-MRDEGs were identified. Intersection analysis yielded 10 overlapping MRDEGs. Notably, NOVA1, GSTM5, TRHDE, and CXCL12 were found to have reduced expression and increased methylation in cervical cancer, which correlated with poor prognosis. The methylation status and expression levels of these genes were confirmed in tissue specimens. Conclusion: We identified four MRDEGs as potential prognostic biomarkers for cervical cancer. Their clinical utility is highlighted, but further validation in larger cohorts is required to establish their clinical significance.
