A comprehensive exploration of twist1 to identify a biomarker for tumor immunity and prognosis in pan-cancer

Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Apr 12;103(15):e37790. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037790.

Abstract

Twist1 has been identified as a critical gene in tumor, but current study of this gene remains limitative. This study aims to investigate its roles and potential mechanisms across pan-cancer. The study used various databases and computational techniques to analyze twist's RNA expression, clinical data, gene mutations, tumor stemness, tumor microenvironment, immune regulation. Furthermore, the experimental method of fluorescence staining was carried out to identify twist1 expression in various tumor masses. After analyzing the protein-protein interaction of TWIST, enrichment analysis and predictive potential drugs were performed, and molecular docking was conducted to validate. We found that twist1 expression was significantly higher in various types of cancer and associated with tumor stage, grade, and poor prognosis in multiple cancers. Differential expression of twist1 was linked to gene mutation, RNA modifications, and tumor stemness. Additionally, twist1 expression was positively associated with tumor immunoregulation and immune checkpoint. Salinomycin, klugline, isocephaelince, manassantin B, and pimonidazole are predictive potential drugs targeting TWIST1. This study revealed that twist1 plays an important role in tumor, and might be a curial marker in tumor diagnose and prognosis. The study also highlighted twist1 as a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment and provided a foundation for future research.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Humans
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Prognosis
  • RNA
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • RNA
  • TWIST1 protein, human