An 18-gene signature based on glucose metabolism and DNA methylation improves prognostic prediction for urinary bladder cancer.

Background: Glucose metabolism and DNA methylation play important roles in cancers. We aimed to identify glucose metabolism-related genes that were DNA methylation associated to establish a prognostic signature of bladder cancer (BLCA).
Methods: With BLCA sample transcriptome data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and methylation data from TCGA 450 K microarray, glucose metabolism-related genes associated to prognosis and DNA methylation were identified and a prognostic signature was established. GSEA and WGCNA analysis were performed and two genes, UCHL1 and PYCR1, were selected for functional validations.
Results: 18 target genes were identified and the signature based on them was considered an effective and independent prognostic factor. Several pathways were enriched in the high-risk group by GSEA and three modules of genes were identified by WGCNA. UCHL1 and PYCR1 proliferated proliferation, migration and invasion ability of bladder cancer cells.
Conclusions: The 18-gene signature is an independent prognostic factor for bladder cancer patients.
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