Bioinformatic-based study to investigate the fluctuations and performance of MYD88 and GRB2 gene expression in gastric cancer; Can they be considered diagnostic biomarkers?

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks as the fourth most prevalent malignancy and constitutes the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. The elevated mortality rate is linked to molecular heterogeneity, late-stage diagnosis, and the limited efficacy of existing therapies. Recent developments in bioinformatics have facilitated the discovery of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets, essential for enhancing diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment approaches in gastric cancer. This study examines the bioinformatics analysis of two significant genes, GRB2 (Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2) and MYD88 (Myeloid differentiation primary response 88), associated with gastric cancer progression and immune response regulation. We analyzed data from public databases such as GEPIA2, TIMER, GeneMANIA, and Cytoscape to examine the differential expression of GRB2 and MYD88 in gastric cancer tissues versus normal tissues, their roles in protein-protein interaction networks, and their association with immune infiltration. The findings indicate that elevated GRB2 expression correlates significantly with tumor invasion, underscoring its potential as an independent prognostic marker and therapeutic target in gastric cancer. The expression of MYD88 is associated with the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which is induced by Helicobacter pylori infection, thereby contributing to chronic inflammation and tumorigenesis. Functional enrichment analysis, encompassing KEGG and GO, indicated that both genes are involved in essential oncogenic pathways, such as cell proliferation, immune response regulation, and inflammatory signaling. The results indicate that GRB2 and MYD88 may function as significant biomarkers for patient stratification and should be considered in the formulation of targeted therapies for gastric cancer. This study highlights the importance of GRB2 and MYD88 in the progression of gastric cancer and proposes their potential as therapeutic targets to enhance patient outcomes.