CSK may be a potential prognostic biomarker reflecting the immune status of gastric cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• C-terminal Src kinase (CSK) is a key negative regulator of Src family tyrosine kinases, functioning as a tumor suppressor.
• CSK paradoxically exhibits high expression in various common human tumors, necessitating further investigation into its role.
• Understanding CSK's expression profile and function is crucial for developing targeted therapies in cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the expression profile of CSK across pan-cancer patients.
• To specifically analyze the prognostic value, immune infiltration patterns, and biological functions of CSK in gastric cancer.
• To explore CSK's potential as a predictive biomarker for targeted therapy and immunotherapy in gastric cancer.

Main Methods:

• Utilized The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database for comprehensive analysis.
• Examined CSK expression, clinical relevance, and prognostic significance using bioinformatics approaches.
• Assessed the tumor immune microenvironment and performed Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses on co-expressed genes.

Main Results:

• CSK demonstrates a protective role in gastric cancer.
• CSK expression levels significantly correlate with the extent of immune cell infiltration within tumors.
• CSK expression is associated with the levels of immune checkpoint molecules, suggesting immune modulation.

Conclusions:

• CSK serves as an independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer.
• CSK expression may predict patient response to molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
• These findings offer valuable insights for devising novel therapeutic strategies targeting CSK in gastric cancer.