Integrating Genomic Insights into Athlete Health Management: Screening Key Genes in Gastric Cancer for Enhanced Early Detection and Prevention

Abstract

Objective: Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, often diagnosed in advanced stages due to metastasis at initial detection. This study aims to identify key genes and pathways involved in gastric cancer pathogenesis through bioinformatics, with a focus on early diagnosis and prognosis that could be particularly relevant for athlete health management. Methods: The GSE 29272 dataset was used to download gene expression profiles from human gastric cancer and adjacent normal tissues, identifying 284 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These genes were analyzed using GEO2R, and further investigations included functional enrichment using DAVID, protein interaction networks via String and Cytoscape, and expression and function analysis with GEPIA and cBioportal. Prognostic significance was assessed using the KM plotter database, and immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays was employed to measure the expression of the BGN gene, with correlation to clinical pathologic features analyzed via chi-square tests. Results: Analysis identified BGN, ATP4A, and COL6A3 as significant prognostic genes. High expression of BGN, associated with metastasis and invasion, was confirmed in 78.9% of gastric cancer tissue samples. Elevated BGN expression correlated with aggressive clinical features like microvascular invasion and lymph node metastasis, indicators of poor prognosis. Conclusion: Elevated BGN expression in gastric cancer tissues is strongly linked to metastasis, invasion, and worse clinical outcomes, suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker. For athletes, understanding such biomarkers can be crucial for early screening and intervention, particularly given the high physical demands and the need for optimal health maintenance. This study underscores the importance of molecular research in enhancing diagnostic and prognostic strategies that could be adapted to sports medicine, facilitating better management of athlete health in the context of cancer risks.