Role of downregulated ADARB1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is prevalent worldwide. Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is one of the main subtypes of NSCLC yet, currently, few biomarkers are available for the diagnosis of LUSC. The present study aimed to investigate the expression and role of adenosine deaminase RNA specific B1 (ADARB1) in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Integrative bioinformatics analysis was used to identify the effects of ADARB1 expression on the occurrence and prognosis of LUSC. The expression of ADARB1 was further examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Bioinformatics analysis suggested that ADARB1 was downregulated in LUSC, serving as a potential tumor suppressor, and these results were verified by IHC performed on a lung cancer tissue array. Clinical studies suggested that ADARB1 expression and methylation levels were significantly associated with patient characteristics in LUSC. Moreover, ADARB1 global methylation levels were upregulated in LUSC tissues compared with normal lung tissues. Higher methylation levels of cg24063645 were associated with shorter overall survival time of patients with LUSC. A negative correlation was identified between ADARB1 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in LUSC. Using the Gene Expression Omnibus database, it was suggested that the expression of ADARB1 in LUSC was significantly different compared with that in lung adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, protein-protein interactions were studied and a biological process annotation analysis was conducted. The present study suggested that ADARB1 was downregulated in LUSC; therefore, ADARB1 may serve as a specific biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for LUSC.