Serum hsa-miR-98-5p and RORC may be new biomarkers related to esophageal cancer

Abstract

This study aims to use bioinformatics methods to discover new serum miRNA markers for esophageal cancer, and provide a theoretical basis for early diagnosis of esophageal cancer. We used GEO2R to analyze the differential serum miRNAs in esophageal cancer based on GSE112264 from the GEO database. Then target genes of top 10 differential miRNAs were predicted. Obtain RNA-Seq data of esophageal cancer from the TCGA database, and use R software for analysis of differential expression. Overlap the predicted target genes with the differentially down-regulated genes, then perform analysis of GO and KEGG enrichment. Use GEPIA and UALCAN databases to perform verification of expression and prognostic analysis of key genes in the pathway. The results showed there are 2565 differential miRNAs in the serum of esophageal cancer patients. The top 10 up-regulated miRNAs predicted 1676 target genes, then 63 overlapped genes were obtained from target genes and 1642 down-regulated genes. GO enrichment obtained 14 biological processes, and KEGG enrichment obtained the circadian rhythm pathway. Only RORC is related to the poor prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer. Our study concluded serum hsa-miR-98-5p and its target gene RORC may be new biological markers for early diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer.