AUTHOR=Wu Qiulin , Yin Guobing , Luo Jing , Zhang Yingzi , Ai Tiantian , Tian Jiao , Jin Yudi , Lei Jinwei , Liu Shengchun 

TITLE=Comprehensive Analysis of the Expression and Prognostic Value of SPINT1/2 in Breast Carcinoma

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.665666

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2021.665666

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=Background: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling plays a plethora of roles in tumorigenesis and progression in many cancer types. As HGF activator inhibitors, serine protease inhibitor, Kunitz type 1 and 2 (SPINT1 and SPINT2) have been reported to be differentially expressed in breast cancer, but their prognostic significance and functioning mechanism remain unclear.
Methods: In our study, multiple databases and bioinformatics tools were used to investigate SPINT1/2 expression profiles, prognostic significance, genetic alteration, methylation, and regulatory network in breast carcinoma.
Results: SPINT1/2 expression was upregulated in breast cancer, and was relatively higher in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and node positive patients. Elevated SPINT1/2 expression was significantly correlated with a poorer prognosis. Genetic alterations and SPINT1/2 hypomethylation were observed. In breast carcinoma, SPINT1/2 were reciprocally correlated and shared common co-expressed genes. Gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that their common co-expressed genes were primarily involved in regulating cell attachment and migration.
Conclusions: Our study identified the expression profiles, prognostic significance and potential roles of SPINT1/2 in breast carcinoma. These study results showed that the SPINT1/2 were potential prognostic biomarker for patients with breast cancer.