OBJECTIVE

To explore the key molecules and regulatory mechanisms of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer.

METHODS

The differential genes and key genes of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer were analyzed by utilizing multiple data sets. The key genes were analyzed by GSEA analysis, transcription factor analysis, nomogram prediction model construction, immune infiltration analysis, GSVA analysis, drug sensitive analysis and single cell data analysis.

RESULTS

Abnormal expression of key genes including CDRT15P1, DENND3, F2R, FNDC3B, IRAK3, MS4A2, PDK4, PKIA and activation of related signaling pathways might be the result of ultraviolet radiation-induced DNA damage, which was closely related to lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer. The key genes were regulated by a variety of transcription factors, which were strongly connected with the invasion of immune cells and the sensitivity of a variety of drugs. The nomogram prediction model, which is based on the key genes associated with lymph node metastasis and the TNM of gastric cancer, demonstrated a high level of predictive efficiency.

CONCLUSION

CDRT15P1, DENND3, F2R, FNDC3B, IRAK3, MS4A2, PDK4 and PKIA may be the key genes affecting lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer, and F2R has higher biological importance.