In silico analysis of the prognostic value of FAS mRNA in malignancies

Background: FAS is a classical death receptor involved in the FAS/FAS ligand (FASL) apoptosis pathway and plays a role in anti-tumor activity. Some studies have recently reported that FAS can serve as an oncogene that promotes tumor proliferation and maintains the stemness of tumor cells. Hence, its prognostic value in malignancies remains controversial. Methods: we assessed the prognostic value of FAS mRNA in several types of tumors by online platforms including Kaplan-Meier Plotter and SurvExpress. Results: FAS mRNA was associated with better overall survival (OS) in breast cancer (Hazard ratio (HR): 0.59 [0.47, 0.73]; p=1.5e-06), gastric cancer (HR: 0.65 [0.54, 0.77]; p=8e-07) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (HR: 0.78 [0.69, 0.89]; p=0.00016), especially in lung adenocarcinoma (HR: 0.64 [0.51, 0.81], p=1.7e-04), female lung cancer (HR:0.72 [0.57, 0.9], p=0.0049) and patients who have never smoked (HR: 0.39 [0.21, 0.7], p=0.0012). However, a high level of FAS mRNA expression indicated poorer OS in pancreatic cancer (HR: 1.33 [1.06, 1.66]; p=0.01) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (HR: 1.57 [1.02, 2.41], p=0.04). Additionally, FAS showed no prognostic value in renal carcinoma, head and neck carcinoma, hepatic cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer or glioblastoma. The results from the Cell Miner tool revealed that FAS expression was associated with the sensitivity of tumor cells to cabozantinib and erlotinib. Conclusions: In summary, the dominant function of FAS may vary in different malignancies. FAS mRNA expression was correlated with better OS in breast cancer, gastric cancer and lung cancer, but worse OS in pancreatic cancer and AML. We also suggested that FAS mRNA expression could be a potential biomarker for cabozantinib and erlotinib.