Key genes in youth colorectal cancer based on data mining and verification by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR

In recent years, among all patients with colorectal cancer, the proportion of young patients has been gradually increasing. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in colorectal cancer in the young are largely unknown. In the present study the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets were integrated to elucidate the key gene biomarkers in these patients. The GSE41657 and GSE41258 datasets were downloaded from the GEO database. By screening for differentially expressed genes, Gene Ontology analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, protein-protein interaction analysis, hub gene screening and survival analysis, two key genes, CXCL8 and VEGFA, which were enriched in cancer pathways, were obtained. Reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q)PCR was performed to verify the outcome obtained by bioinformatics analysis. In conclusion, the present study identified two key genes using bioinformatics analysis and RT-qPCR validation. These results indicated that the candidate genes may be involved in the progression of colorectal cancer in young people, and these two genes may act as ideal prognostic indicators or therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer in the youth.