Identification of INHBA as a potential biomarker for gastric cancer through a comprehensive analysis

Abstract

Inhibin subunit beta A (INHBA) is a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily that plays a fundamental role in various cancers. However, a systematic analysis of the exact role of INHBA in patients with gastric cancer (GC) has not yet been conducted. We evaluated the expression levels of INHBA and the correlation between INHBA and GC prognosis in GC. The relationship between INHBA expression, immune infiltration levels, and type markers of immune cells in GC was also explored. In addition, we studied INHBA mutations, promoter methylation, and functional enrichment analysis. Besides, high expression levels of INHBA in GC were significantly related to unfavorable prognosis. INHBA was negatively correlated with B cell infiltration, but positively correlated with macrophage and most anticancer immunity steps. INHBA expression was positively correlated with the type markers of CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells. INHBA has a weak significant methylation level change between tumor and normal tissues and mainly enriched in cancer-related signaling pathways. The present study implies that INHBA may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients with GC. INHBA is a promising predictor of immunotherapy response, with higher levels of INHBA indicating greater sensitivity.

Positive GLI1/INHBA feedback loop drives tumor progression in gastric cancer

“…As an important member of the TGF‐β family, INHBA is strongly associated with tumorigenesis of several tumor types. 26 , 30 , 31 , 32 In this study, we found that INHBA emerged as a possible central target of GLI1 in GC. The expression levels of GLI1 and INHBA in tumor samples from GC patients are high compared to those of the normal group, which is consistent with previous observations, 25 , 33 and their high expression suggested poor OS in GC by Kaplan–Meier analysis.…”

“…INHBA has been reported to promote GC progression through activation of the TGF‐β/Smad signaling pathway. 17 , 25 , 26 Notably, Smads were able to bind to the GLI promoter and activate GLI transcription. 27 We wondered whether Smad4 also transcriptionally regulates GLI1 expression in GC cells.…”

Predictive Factors of Immunotherapy in Gastric Cancer: A 2024 Update

“…The indicators of CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells were favorably connected with inhibitor subunit beta A (INHBA) expression, which suggests that INHBA could be a useful biomarker in the prediction of prognosis in GC patients. The INHBA is a potentially useful indicator of immunotherapy response; higher INHBA levels correspond to increased sensitivity [ 45 ].…”

“…the BMRG signature has proven accurate and reliable in the prediction of prognosis in GC patients [43] -CLEC11A may be a predictive and immunological biomarker [44] the INHBA is a potentially useful indicator of immunotherapy response [45] the CRG signature could be a reliable and effective tool for prognostic prediction and therapeutic guidance [46] -NK cell marker genes point to possible treatment targets [47] -CSK may predict immunotherapy and molecular targeting in addition to offering suggestions for a treatment plan [48] -ACVR1 could be a promising target for GC immunotherapy [49] Table 3. Cont.…”