An Investigation on the Genetic Alterations of the ALG3 Gene and Their Possible Correlation with the Development of HNSCC and LUSC
Objectives: The ALG3 gene has been associated with various hallmarks of cancer including proliferation and metastasis. However, the relationship between the genetic alterations in ALG3 with the pathophysiology of HNSCC and LUSC is poorly understood. The present study aimed to demonstrate the genetic alterations in the ALG3 gene and its consequences at the molecular level in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC).
Methods: The cBIoportal database was employed to identify the genetic alterations. UALCAN was used to demonstrate the gene expression and survival analysis. The microRNAs targeting ALG3 were demonstrated using the miRDB database.
Results: The ALG3 gene exhibited 20% and 51% alteration in HNSCC and LUSC patients respectively. There was a statistically significant increase in the expression of the ALG3 gene in both datasets. The HNSCC patients presenting with high expression of ALG3 were found to exhibit a low survival probability when compared to the low/medium expression group.
Conclusion: The gene amplification of ALG3 correlated well with the gene expression status and survival of patients in the HNSCC dataset. This provides evidence of the possible involvement of the ALG3 gene with HNSCC, however, experimental evidence is warranted to prove this association.
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