lncRNA EGOT across cancers: TCGA analysis

Long-non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important regulators in the epigenetic control of cellular phenotypes. Among them, the eosinophil granule ontogeny transcript (EGOT) has attracted attention, as changes in its expression levels are correlated with pathological conditions, including tumorigenesis and viral infections. Despite many studies, the biological role and diagnostic utility of EGOT remain unclear.

EGOT was analyzed based on the TCGA, including pathological and clinical features, cellular pathways, and genomic and cellular changes.

We observed an association of higher EGOT expression with better survival in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), as well as worse patient survival for liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). Expression levels of EGOT differ in the case of HNSC, KIRC, and LIHC. Critical cellular pathways and processes vary depending on the EGOT. Moreover, immune profile, cancer subtypes, and differences in the proliferation, wound healing ability, stromal fraction, and intratumor heterogeneity were observed in relation to these lncRNA levels, with the most pronounced differences seen mostly for BRCA and KIRC.

EGOT seems to be a potential prognostic biomarker in clinical use. Possible factors that connect all of the analyzed types of cancers and changes in EGOT expression are viral activity and immunological response to viral infection.