Identification of key genes associated with poor prognosis and neoplasm staging in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is highly biologically and genetically heterogeneous disease with poor prognosis. Increasing evidence indicates that biomarkers can serve as prediction and clinical intervention. Therefore, it is vital to identify core molecules and pathways participating in the development of GC. METHODS: In this study, GSE54129, GSE56807, GSE63089, and GSE118916 were used for identified overlapped 75 DEGs. GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed DEGs mainly enriched in biological process about collagen-containing extracellular matrix and collagen metabolic. Next, protein-protein interaction network was built and the hub gene was excavated. Clinicopathological features and prognostic value were also evaluated. RESULTS: Hub genes were shown as below, FN1, COL1A2, COL1A1, COL3A1, COL4A1, COL6A3, COL5A2, SPARC, PDGFRB, COL12A1. Those genes were upregulation in GC and related to the poor prognosis (except COL5A2, P = .73). What is more, high expression indicated worse T stage and tumor, node, metastasis stage in GC patients. Later, the results of 25 GC tumor specimens and 34 normal tissues showed that FN1, COL3A1, COL4A1, SPARC, COL5A2, and COL12A1 were significantly upregulated in cancer samples. CONCLUSION: Our study systematically explored the core genes and crucial pathways in GC, providing insights into clinical management and individual treatment.