Sains Malaysiana 54(5)(2025): 1269-1280

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2025-5405-05

Exploring the Expression Patterns and Clinical Relevance of MED8 in Pan-cancer and Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Understanding Tumor Biology and Prognostic Significance

(Meneroka Corak Ekspresi dan Perkaitan Klinikal MED8 dalam Pan-kanser dan Karsinoma Hepatosel Hati: Memahami Biologi Tumor dan Kepentingan Prognostik)

SHOULIAN WANG#, JIWEI YU#, CHUNPENG PAN, HAIBO WANG & QIGUANG NIU*

Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 Mohe Road, Shanghai 201999, China

Received: 26 September 2024/Accepted: 15 January 2025

#Co-first author

Abstract

This study examined the expression profiles and medical relevance of MED8 in various types of cancer specifically in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). MED8, a subunit of the Mediator complex, plays a crucial role in gene expression regulation and has been implicated in various cellular processes and disease pathogenesis, particularly cancer. Through comprehensive analysis of multidimensional genomic and transcriptomic data from large-scale cancer databases, we examined the expression patterns of MED8 across different tissue types and cancer entities. Survival analysis showed the prognostic significance of MED8 expression in multiple cancer types. Additionally, we investigated the connections between MED8 levels and factors related to tumors, including microsatellite instability (MSI), tumor mutational burden (TMB), and cancer stem cell characteristics. Through gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), enriched pathways and biological processes linked to MED8 expression were identified, providing insight into its functional significance in tumor biology. In the context of LIHC, we conducted a detailed analysis using the Xiantao platform, confirming the clinical significance of MED8 in LIHC and evaluating its diagnostic potential and utility as an independent prognostic marker. This research offers a comprehensive understanding of the diverse functions of MED8 in the field of cancer research, underscoring its significance as both a predictor of disease progression and a potential target for treatment in different types of cancer, particularly focusing on LIHC.

Keywords: LIHC; MED8; pan-cancer; tumor biology

Abstrak

Penyelidikan ini mengkaji profil ekspresi dan kaitan perubatan MED8 dalam pelbagai jenis kanser khususnya dalam karsinoma hepatosel hati (LIHC). MED8, subunit kompleks Mediator, memainkan peranan penting dalam peraturan ekspresi gen dan telah terlibat dalam pelbagai proses sel dan patogenesis penyakit, terutamanya kanser. Melalui analisis komprehensif data genomik dan transkriptik multidimensi daripada pangkalan data kanser berskala besar, kami meneliti corak ekspresi MED8 merentas jenis tisu dan entiti kanser yang berbeza. Analisis kelangsungan hidup menunjukkan kepentingan prognostik ekspresi MED8 dalam pelbagai jenis kanser. Selain itu, kami mengkaji hubungan antara tahap MED8 dan faktor yang berkaitan dengan tumor, termasuk ketidakstabilan mikrosatelit (MSI), beban mutasi tumor (TMB) dan ciri sel stem kanser. Melalui analisis pengayaan set gen (GSEA), laluan diperkaya dan proses biologi yang dikaitkan dengan ekspresi MED8 telah dikenal pasti, memberikan gambaran tentang kepentingan fungsinya dalam biologi tumor. Dalam konteks LIHC, kami menjalankan analisis terperinci menggunakan platform Xiantao, mengesahkan kepentingan klinikal MED8 dalam LIHC dan menilai potensi diagnostik dan utilitinya sebagai penanda prognostik bebas. Penyelidikan ini menawarkan pemahaman menyeluruh tentang kepelbagaian fungsi MED8 dalam bidang penyelidikan kanser, menekankan kepentingannya sebagai peramal perkembangan penyakit dan sasaran yang berpotensi untuk rawatan dalam pelbagai jenis kanser, terutamanya yang memfokuskan pada LIHC.

Kata kunci: Biologi tumor; LIHC; MED8; pan-kanser

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*Corresponding author; email: hongxu202110@163.com