Investigating the Roles of MAPKs as Precision Oncology Targets: A Multi-cancer Expression and Survival Study

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Genomics
• Oncology

Background:

• Cancer is a leading global cause of death, characterized by molecular complexity and heterogeneity.
• Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are crucial signaling molecules involved in cell regulation, and their dysregulation is linked to cancer development and progression.
• Understanding MAPK roles in diverse cancers is essential for identifying novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets across various cancer types.
• To systematically analyze MAPK gene expression, mutations, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of MAPKs in nine cancer types using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) RNA-Seq data.
• Differential expression analysis (DESeq2, NOIseq, limma), gene enrichment (GO, KEGG), mutational profiling (cBioPortal), and survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier).
• Assessment of tumor immune infiltration using TIMER2.0 to investigate immune-gene interactions.

Main Results:

• Key MAPKs significantly altered in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) were identified.
• Six MAPKs (MAPK3, MAPK7, MAPK9, MAPK10, MAPK12, MAPK13) were differentially expressed in LIHC, and MAPK6 in LUAD.
• MAPKs were implicated in oncogenic pathways, showed prognostic significance, and influenced tumor immune infiltration, suggesting collective targeting potential.

Conclusions:

• Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members hold significant value as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in LIHC and LUAD.
• This research provides insights into MAPK-driven oncogenic processes, supporting precision oncology approaches.
• The findings advocate for the development of targeted therapies focusing on MAPK pathways in specific cancers.