Prognostic values of signal transducers activators of transcription in gastric cancer

The signal transducers and activators of transcription genes family (STATs) have been well studied as prognostic predictors for various solid tumors, but their prognostic values in gastric cancer (GC) patients have not been fully elucidated. The ‘Kaplan–Meier plotter’ and multiple public available databases were used for the characterization of the prognostic roles of STATs family in GC. The results indicated that high mRNA expression of all individual STATs, except STAT3 and STAT6, were significantly associated with favorable overall survival (OS) in GC. Moreover, the prognostic values of STATs were further characterized in subtypes, including HER2 status, Lauren’s classification, differentiation, and clinical stages. Moreover, the prognostic value of STATs signature was also characterized. Low risk group displayed a significantly favorable OS than high risk (HR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.09–2.66, P=0.0184). In addition, STATs showed distinct expression between GC and normal groups. Meanwhile, comparable high correlation between STATs and tumor immune infiltrating cells (TIICs) was also observed. STAT4 displayed highest correlation with dendritic cells (correlation = 0.716, P=1.63e-59) and CD8(+) T cells (correlation = 0.697, P=5.02e-55). In conclusion, our results suggest that all individual STATs, except STAT3 and STAT6, may act as prognostic markers in GC.