Reclassification of endometrial cancer and identification of key genes based on neural-related genes

Abstract

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy, and its incidence has been increasing every year. Nerve signaling is part of the tumor microenvironment and plays an active role in tumor progression and invasion. However, the relationship between the expression of neural-related genes (NRGs) and prognosis in endometrial cancer remains unknown. In this study, we obtained RNA sequencing data of EC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Endometrial cancer was classified into two subtypes based on the expression of neural-associated genes (NRGs), with statistical differences in clinical stage, pathological grading, and prognosis. A prognostic prediction model was established by LASSO-Cox analysis, and the results showed that high expression of NRGs was associated with poor survival prognosis. Further, CHRM2, GRIN1, L1CAM, and SEMA4F were found to be significantly associated with clinical stage, immune infiltration, immune response, and important signaling pathways in endometrial cancer. The reclassification of endometrial cancer based on NRG expression would be beneficial for future clinical practice. The genes CHRM2, GRIN1, L1CAM, and SEMA4F might serve as potential biomarkers of EC prognosis.