ERG expression as a potential biomarker for endometrial carcinoma prognosis

Background: The protein encoded by the erythroblast transformation-specific-related gene (ERG) plays an important role in the occurrence and development of various human cancers. However, its biological importance in endometrial carcinoma (EC) remains unclear. Here, we aimed to assess ERG expression in EC and determine its prognostic value via bioinformatic analyses. Methods: Data from public databases were used to evaluate ERG expression in patients with pan-cancer or EC and elucidate its influence on tumour immune cell infiltration. ERG mutation types and clinical characteristics of patients were analysed. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to evaluate the EC overall survival rate and its correlation with ERG expression levels. Moreover, receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to assess the specificity and accuracy of ERG expression in diagnosing EC. Finally, pathway enrichment analyses were performed to elucidate gene function. Results: ERG is differentially expressed in various cancers and is downregulated in EC. Moreover, copy number variation is the most common ERG mutation type in EC. Low ERG expression correlates with the clinical stage of cancer (p = 0.011), histological type (p = 1.6734 × 10−5), histological grade (p = 2.2165 × 10−8), and degree of invasion (p = 0.019). It is also associated with a relatively poor prognosis. Low ERG expression is also associated with immune cell infiltration and several pathways relevant to the development and progression of EC. In particular, ERG contributes to EC occurrence and development by regulating various transcriptional processes and carcinogenic signalling pathways. Furthermore, ERG expression is related to immune invasion and ET diagnosis and prognosis. Hence, ERG expression can be used as a prognostic biomarker for EC. Conclusions: Our findings can serve as a reference for identifying targets of molecular biological therapy and immunotherapy for EC.

Cellular immune response; Gene targeting; Prognosis; Transcriptional regulator

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