Identification and validation of IRF6 related to ovarian cancer and biological function and prognostic value.

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is a severe gynecological malignancy with significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The discovery of reliable cancer biomarkers can be used to adjust diagnosis and improve patient care. However, serous OC lacks effective biomarkers. We aimed to identify novel biomarkers for OC and their pathogenic causes.

Methods: The present study used the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) obtained from the "Limma" package and WGCNA modules for intersection analysis to obtain DEGs in OC. Three hub genes were identified-claudin 3 (CLDN3), interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6), and prostasin (PRSS8)-by searching for hub genes through the PPI network and verifying them in GSE14407, GSE18520, GSE66957, and TCGA + GTEx databases. The correlation between IRF6 and the prognosis of OC patients was further confirmed in Kaplan-Miller Plotter. RT-qPCR and IHC confirmed the RNA and protein levels of IRF6 in the OC samples. The effect of IRF6 on OC was explored using transwell invasion and scratch wound assays. Finally, we constructed a ceRNA network of hub genes and used bioinformatics tools to predict drug sensitivity.

Results: The joint analysis results of TCGA, GTEx, and GEO databases indicated that IRF6 RNA and protein levels were significantly upregulated in serous OC and were associated with OS and PFS. Cell function experiments revealed that IRF6 knockdown inhibited SKOV3 cell proliferation, migration and invasion.

Conclusion: IRF6 is closely correlated with OC development and progression and could be considered a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for OC patients.