Identification of potential genes correlated with breast cancer metastasis and prognosis

Abstract

We aimed to screen, via bioinformatics analyses, potential gene markers related to BC metastasis and prognosis. A gene expression dataset (GSE102818) and relevant clinical information were downloaded from the GEO database and TCGA, respectively. Then, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between primary and metastatic BC samples, followed by survival analyses. Subsequently, functional enrichment and protein–protein interaction (PPI) analyses were performed. Finally, transcriptional regulation analysis was performed to extract the pivotal genes. A total of 146 DEGs were screened. Of these, 56 downregulated DEGs were closely associated with the survival outcomes of BC. Furthermore, functional enrichment analysis showed that these survival-related genes, including CCR7, CD27, and IL2RB, played notable roles in pathways such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and immune responses. Furthermore, PPI network and enriched sub-module network analyses revealed that CCR7, CD27, and IL2RB served as hub genes with a high degree of association. Accordingly, they were key players in BC-associated transcriptional regulatory networks. Notably, these genes exhibited strong relationships with miR-1908 and miR-663. CCR7, CD27, IL2RB, miR-1908, and miR-663 may participate in the molecular mechanisms underlying BC metastasis, probably by influencing cytokine-related pathways and immune responses; thus, they are potential, novel therapeutic targets for BC management.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• survival analysis
• differential expressed genes
• functional analysis
• transcriptional regulatory analysis