Analysing glycolysis-related genes reveals the prognostic and diagnostic relevance of IER3 and AGRN in colorectal cancer

Abstract

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health issue, with early detection being critical to improving patient survival. Dysregulation of the glycolysis pathway plays a pivotal role in CRC progression, but specific gene-level mechanisms remain underexplored.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the role of glycolysis-related genes in CRC development and identify potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.MethodsWe utilized The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset to perform differential expression analysis of glycolysis-related genes in CRC. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was conducted to identify central hub genes. The diagnostic potential of selected genes was evaluated using ROC curve analysis, while their expression levels were validated through RT-qPCR.ResultsIER3 and AGRN were identified as significantly upregulated genes associated with reduced survival rates in CRC patients. PPI analysis revealed their roles as central hub genes within the glycolysis pathway. ROC curve analysis demonstrated their ability to distinguish CRC patients from healthy individuals. Validation through RT-qPCR confirmed their significant overexpression in CRC samples, highlighting their involvement in disease progression.ConclusionIER3 and AGRN are critical components of the glycolysis pathway, driving CRC development and progression while also showing potential as biomarkers for predicting outcomes, diagnosing CRC, and serving as treatment targets.