RAB42 is a member of the RAS family. However, the roles and driving forces for RAB42 in tumors remain elusive. In this study, we performed a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of the roles and regulatory mechanisms of RAB42 using bioinformatics and experiments. Online databases such as Sanger Box, ACLBI and TIDE were used to search for the expression levels, prognostic value and immune features of RAB42. We observed that RAB42 expression was upregulated in most tumors and was closely associated with poor prognosis. Enrichment analysis indicated that RAB42 was related to multiple biological functions, especially the immune process. RAB42 expression had a positive correlation with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint gene expression. RAB42 had a high predictive value for immunotherapy efficiency. Our study screened out susceptible drugs for the RAB42 protein by sensitivity analysis and virtual screening. Many key driver genes such as TP53 contributed to RAB42 expression. DNA methylation, super-enhancer and non-coding RNAs were the epigenetic factors responsible for RAB42 expression. In brief, RAB42 could serve as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in many tumor types. RAB42 might be a predictive biomarker and a new target for immunotherapy. Genetic and epigenetic factors were essential for RAB42 overexpression in tumors.
Keywords: RAB42; bioinformatics; biomarker; pan-cancer; super enhancer; tumor immunity.