A Pan-Cancer Analysis Reveals CLEC5A as a Biomarker for Cancer Immunity and Prognosis.

BACKGROUND

CLEC5A is a member of the C-type lectin superfamily. It can activate macrophages and lead to a series of immune-inflammation reactions. Previous studies reveal the role of CLEC5A in infection and inflammation diseases.

METHOD

We acquire and analyze data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database, and other comprehensive databases GSCALite, cBioPortal, and TIMER 2.0 platforms or software. Single-cell sequencing analysis was performed for quantifying the tumor microenvironment of several types of cancers.

RESULTS

is differentially expressed in a few cancer types, of which overexpression accompanies low overall survival of patients. DNA methylation mainly negatively correlates with expression. Moreover, is positively related to immune infiltration, including macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Immune checkpoint genes are significantly associated with expression in diverse cancers. In addition, expression correlates with mismatch repair (MMR) in several cancers. Tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and neoantigens show a positive association with expression in several cancers. Furthermore, in cancer correlates with signal transduction, the immune system, EMT, and apoptosis process. The drug sensitivity analysis screens out potential therapeutic agents associated with expression, including FR-180204, Tivozanib, OSI-930, Linifanib, AC220, VNLG/124, Bexarotene, omacetaxine mepesuccinate, narciclasine, leptomycin B, PHA-793887, LRRK2-IN-1, and CR-1-31B.

CONCLUSION

CLEC5A overexpresses in multiple cancers in contrast to normal tissues, and high CLEC5A expression predicts poor prognosis of patients and immune infiltration. CLEC5A is a potential prognostic biomarker of diverse cancers and a target for anti-tumor therapy.