Expression Characteristics and Significant Diagnostic and Prognostic Values of ANLN in Human Cancers

Abstract

Introduction: In light of the increased demand for reliable cancer-associated biomarkers and ANLN oncogenic potential, the present study aimed to investigate ANLN’s role in 24 human cancers. Methods: The UALCAN, Kaplan–Meier (KM) plotter, TNM Plot, GENT2, GEPIA, HPA, cBioPortal, STRING, Enrichr, TIMER, Cytoscape, DAVID, MuTarget, and CTD online databases and bioinformatic tools were used in this study. Results: In three of the cancers analyzed, ANLN expression was downregulated in tumor tissue, while it was overexpressed in the 21 other types of tumor tissue relative to controls. In CESC, ESCA, HNSC, and KIRC patients, ANLN overexpression was correlated with shorter overall survival, relapse-free survival, and metastasis. This suggests that ANLN is significantly involved in the development and progression of these four cancers. Further expression analysis revealed upregulation of ANLN in CESC, ESCA, HNSC, and KIRC patients with different clinical characteristics, regardless of the heterogeneity barrier. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis revealed that ANLN-associated genes were coexpressed with ANLN and were included in diverse BP, MF, and KEGG terms. Moreover, some interesting correlations were also documented between ANLN expression and its promoter-methylation level, genetic alterations, other mutant genes, and CD8 + T- and CD4 + T-cell infiltration. Moreover, we also identified ANLN -associated transcription factors, miRNAs, and chemotherapeutic drugs. Conclusion: This pan-cancer study revealed the novel diagnostic and prognostic role of ANLN across four cancers, regardless of heterogeneity. Keywords: cancer, ANLN, diagnostic, prognostic, biomarker