Abstract

Background & Aims: MYB proteins are highly conserved DNA-binding domain proteins and aberrant gene regulation plays a role in the development of multiple cancer types. Prior studies have identified MYB gene expression as a prognostic tool. However, the role of the MYB gene in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is uncertain.
Approach & Results: The RNA expression profile, variance analysis, copy number alteration, and prognostic value of MYB gene in LIHC patients was evaluated using TCGA data. Pathway enrichment analysis of MYB was conducted using the R package cluster profiler. In addition, we deeply explored the interaction between MYB gene and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (iTME) in LIHC patients. MYB gene expression was substantially higher in LIHC patients than normal. High MYB gene expression predicted worse long-term survival in LIHC patients. We also identified MYB gene expression was positively correlated with the expression of immune checkpoint genes, DNA damage repair (DDR) genes, and CD8+ T cell effector genes.
Conclusion: Our results revealed expression level alterations of MYB in LIHC patients significantly impacts overall patient survival and warrants further study to implement MYB expression monitoring as a prognostic tool for patients diagnosed with LIHC.

Keywords

TCGA, MYB, prognostic biomarker, liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (iTME)