Elevated SLC6A6 expression drives tumorigenesis and affects clinical outcomes in gastric cancer

Aim: To assess SLC6A6 expression in gastric cancer, its correlation with patients’ clinicopathological features and survival, and the possible epigenetic regulation mechanism. Methods: Expression profiles and methylation data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and the Cancer Genome Atlas. The SLC6A6's protein level were obtained from the Human Protein Atlas. Correlations between SLC6A6 expression and clinicopathological features were assessed using the χ 2 test, and survival by the Kaplan–Meier analysis. By analyzing methylation data, the mechanisms of SLC6A6 dysregulation were investigated. Results: SLC6A6 expression was higher in gastric cancer, and indicated poor prognosis. Low-methylation levels were significantly related to high SLC6A6 expression. Conclusion: SLC6A6 may be a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target. Hypomethylation contributes to SLC6A6 upregulation in gastric cancer.