Computational multi-omics modelling identifies TOP2A as a central prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in

Shahid Ullah Khan1, Abdul Jamil Khan2, Faheem Ahmed Khan3

  • 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dubai Medical College for Girls, Dubai Medical University, Dubai, 19099, United Arab Emirates; Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro., Jl. Prof. Jacub Rais, Tembalang, Semarang, Central Java, 50275, Indonesia.

Insights

Topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) is upregulated in kidney cancers (KIRC, KIRP, KICH), correlating with aggressive disease and poor outcomes. TOP2A may serve as a predictive biomarker and therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Bioinformatics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Kidney cancer comprises several subtypes with distinct clinical behaviors.
  • Understanding the molecular drivers of kidney cancer progression is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinicopathological, molecular, and functional roles of TOP2A in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP), and kidney chromophobe (KICH).
  • To evaluate TOP2A as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in these kidney cancer subtypes.

Main Methods:

  • Integrative bioinformatics analyses using TCGA data and multiple public databases (cBioPortal, UALCAN, GEPIA, TIMER, KM Plotter, etc.).
  • Analysis included gene expression, genomic alterations, correlation with clinical parameters, cell cycle association, immune infiltration, pathway enrichment, drug sensitivity, and protein-protein interactions.

Main Results:

  • TOP2A expression is significantly upregulated across KIRC, KIRP, and KICH, correlating with advanced pathological stage, higher tumor grade, and lymph node involvement.
  • Elevated TOP2A levels are associated with aggressive tumor characteristics, poor patient outcomes, and frequent genomic alterations (amplifications, mutations).
  • TOP2A correlates with cell cycle regulators (CDKs), immune cell infiltration, and influences cancer-related signaling pathways, suggesting a role in the tumor immune microenvironment and oncogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • TOP2A is a significant oncogenic factor in KIRC, KIRP, and KICH.
  • TOP2A may serve as a valuable predictive biomarker for patient outcomes and a potential therapeutic target for kidney cancer.

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