Prognostic analysis of keratin family genes in patients with lung adenocarcinoma based on TCGA database

Objective To explore the predictive value of keratin (KRT) family genes on the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients.

Methods RNA sequencing data was obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database of LUAD tumors and paired normal tissues. Multivariate COX proportional hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic value of KRT family member genes. Variables were analyzed and screened to construct a risk score, and the predictive results were evaluated using a time related ROC curve. Individualized prognostic risk was assessed using Nomogram.

Results Fourteen KRT genes with significant imbalance in LUAD tumors and adjacent tissues were screened out from differentially expressed genes. ROC curve analysis confirmed that these 14 KRT genes could serve as potential diagnostic markers for LUAD diagnosis. Six KRT genes were associated with the prognosis of lung cancer, and the results showed that KRT8 and KRT6A were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of LUAD.

Conclusions KRT8 and KRT6A can serve as prognostic indicators for LUAD. The high expression of KRT8 and KRT6A indicates a poor prognosis in LUAD patients.