Exploring the molecular mechanisms and shared gene signatures between dermatomyositis and gastric cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background:Several studies have reported a clinical association between gastric cancer(GC) and dermatomyositis (DM), but the molecular features and underlying mechanisms between the two diseases have not been investigated. Methods：We obtained the strongly associated genes of DM and GC and the clinical characteristics from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), The Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), GeneCards, and DisGeNET databases. We next screened hub genes, constructed co-expression and interaction networks, transcription factor-gene-miRNA regulatory networks, and performed enrichment analysis of cell signaling pathways and candidate drugs prediction. Finally, a single-gene immune infiltration assay was performed on the hub genes. Results：Our study revealed commonalities at the genetic level between DM and GC. A deep dive into the 8 hub genes revealed the role in immune response, especially cytokines, which were involved in the co-development of the two diseases. The obtained hub genes have the potential to be biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets for DM patients with a potential predisposition to GC tumorigenesis.