Pan-Cancer analysis of TERT and Validation in Osteosarcoma Cell Lines

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the possible functions of TERT in pan-cancer and OS.

Methods: First, differential TERT gene expression analysis was conducted using multi-omics data integrative analyses, including differential expression, prognosis, the correlation between infiltrating inflammatory immune cells, and mutation in pan-cancer. Furthermore, differential TERT gene expression analysis was conducted using mRNA expression profiles related to OS based on the GEO Datasets. Various differentially expressed genes were chosen based on a fitness threshold for further investigations. Finally, the function of the TERT gene was assessed in OS cells, including cellular proliferation, migration, and metastasis.

Results: Pan-cancer research demonstrated that variable expression of TERT was not only associated with numerous types of human cancer but was also intimately linked to DNA methylation. Bioinformatic investigation revealed a link between the differential expression of TERT with immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In vitro studies indicated that inhibition of TERT decreased OS cell proliferation, motility, and metastasis.

Conclusion: TERT may serve as a useful genomic biomarker for the diagnosis and prediction of pan-cancer and as a prospective therapeutic target for the treatment of OS.

Keywords: Molecular biomarker; Omics integrative analysis; Pan-cancer analysis; TERT.