Decoding TRIP13's Role in Gastric Cancer: Implications for Prognosis and Immune Response

Background/Objectives: Gastric cancer (GC), a prevalent global malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, has a poorly understood prognosis related to TRIP13 expression. TRIP13 has a recognized part in driving tumor progression across different cancer types, yet its precise role in GC remains beyond our full comprehension. Our study aimed to explore TRIP13's prognostic value and function in GC patients. Methods: We extensively explored TRIP13's influence on GC prognosis, functionality, and immune response by examining various cancer-related databases like UALCAN, GEPIA, GEO, and TIMER. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was also conducted to assess the link between TRIM13 and GC patient survival. Results: TRIP13 expression levels were found to be significantly elevated in GC tissues compared to normal tissues through analysis of mRNA data from multiple public databases. IHC analysis exposed elevated TRIP13 protein levels in GC tissues and connected it with tumor depth. Prognostic evaluation demonstrated that GC patients exhibiting heightened TRIP13 expression endured a diminished overall survival rate. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that genes related to TRIP13 are involved in processes such as the cell cycle and DNA repair. Additionally, TRIP13 expression was found to correlate with ferroptosis-related genes and may play a role in regulating ferroptosis. Immune cell infiltration analysis demonstrated that TRIP13 expression is negatively correlated with the infiltration of CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, and B cells. Conclusions: TRIP13 emerges as a candidate independent prognostic indicator and a promising intervention point for GC treatment.