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Updated: May 23, 2026
Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 12, 2024
Identification of replication factor C subunit 4 as a potential therapeutic target in esophageal squamous cell
Zhenzhen Yang1, Cheng Chang2,3, Na Gao1,4
1The Fifth Clinical Medical College of Henan University of Chinese Medicine (Zhengzhou People's Hospital), Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, P.R. China.
Background:
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the highly lethal and aggressive malignant tumors worldwide. To effectively prevent and treat this disease, the search for novel molecular targets is of great significance for promoting the molecular diagnosis and targeted therapy of ESCC.
Method:
Gene expression profiles from gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets were normalized and analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes. Functional enrichment, protein-protein interaction network, and machine learning algorithms were applied for biomarker screening. Immune infiltration analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed to assess clinical relevance.
Results:
Analysis identified 752 differentially expressed genes in ESCC, with enrichment in upregulated pathways including DNA replication and mismatch repair, and downregulated pathways such as autophagy. Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses revealed complex molecular networks driving ESCC. Key hub genes and diagnostic biomarkers aurora kinase A (AURKA), kinesin family member 4 A (KIF4A), and replication factor C subunit 4 (RFC4) were identified, with high diagnostic area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values from 0.976 to 0.983. RFC4 expression correlated with mast cell infiltration patterns, showed elevated expression in ESCC tissues via immunohistochemistry, and was associated with poor prognosis.
Conclusion:
This study identifies AURKA, KIF4A, and RFC4 as potential in silico biomarkers for ESCC. This study further highlights RFC4 as a promising candidate for diagnostic and prognostic applications, offering new insights into prevention strategies for ESCC.
Insights
Researchers identified novel molecular targets for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Aurora kinase A (AURKA), KIF4A, and replication factor C subunit 4 (RFC4) show potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for ESCC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a lethal and aggressive malignancy globally.
- Identifying novel molecular targets is crucial for advancing ESCC diagnosis and targeted therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel molecular targets and biomarkers for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
- To explore the diagnostic and prognostic potential of identified biomarkers in ESCC.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene expression profiles from GEO datasets.
- Application of functional enrichment, protein-protein interaction networks, and machine learning for biomarker screening.
- Immune infiltration analysis and immunohistochemistry for clinical relevance assessment.
Main Results:
- Identified 752 differentially expressed genes in ESCC, with pathways like DNA replication and mismatch repair upregulated.
- Discovered key hub genes and diagnostic biomarkers: aurora kinase A (AURKA), kinesin family member 4A (KIF4A), and replication factor C subunit 4 (RFC4) with high diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.976-0.983).
- RFC4 expression correlated with mast cell infiltration, was elevated in ESCC tissues, and associated with poor prognosis.
Conclusions:
- AURKA, KIF4A, and RFC4 are identified as potential in silico biomarkers for ESCC.
- RFC4 emerges as a promising candidate for diagnostic and prognostic applications in ESCC.
- Findings offer new insights for ESCC prevention strategies.
