Expression and prognostic value of EGF-like domain multiple 6 in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma and its correlation with immune cell infiltration

Q: What is EGFL6 and why is it studied in UCEC?

EGFL6 is examined because prior work suggests it participates in tumorigenesis and metastasis and may relate to endometrial cancer progression. This study focuses on whether EGFL6 can improve diagnosis and prognosis assessment in UCEC.

Q: How was EGFL6 expression measured and validated?

EGFL6 expression was assessed using TCGA RNA-seq data and clinical information, then validated experimentally. Immunohistochemistry was performed on UCEC tissue microarrays and quantitative real-time PCR was used for validation.

Q: How does EGFL6 relate to patient prognosis and immune infiltration?

Higher EGFL6 expression is associated with unfavorable clinical characteristics and poorer patient prognosis based on Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. It also correlates with decreased immune cell infiltration, particularly regulatory T cells (Tregs) and CD8+ T cells.

Sep 23, 2026

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The study evaluates epidermal growth factor-like domain multiple 6 (EGFL6) as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC). Using TCGA RNA-seq and clinical data, logistic regression links EGFL6 expression with clinical features, while bioinformatics analyses (GO, KEGG, and GSEA) assess related pathways. Immunohistochemistry on UCEC tissue microarrays and RT-qPCR validate EGFL6 levels. Survival analyses generate nomograms and associate higher EGFL6 with worse outcomes and reduced immune infiltration, especially Tregs and CD8+ T cells.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Diagnostic and prognostic need in UCEC

EGFL6 as a candidate biomarker

Methods

Data sources and expression analyses

Enrichment and pathway analyses

Statistical and survival modeling

Results

EGFL6 expression patterns

Clinical correlations and prognostic value

Immune cell infiltration associations

Conclusion

EGFL6 as a potential biomarker

[www. nature.com/scientificreports](www. nature.com/scientificreports) OPEN Expression and prognostic value of EGF-like domain multiple 6 in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma and its correlation with immune cell infiltration Qiannan Li1, Nuerbiya Muheteer2, GulibositanAyoufu3, Xieerwaniguli Abulimiti1, AyimuguliAini1, Bingjie Han1, Reyila Fulati4􀀍, Mieradilijiang Ainiwaer5􀀍 & Ainiwaerjiang Abudourousuli6,7􀀍 Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is a common malignancy that affects the female reproductive tract, and it is characterized by high rates of both morbidity and mortality. This study investigated epidermal growth factor-like domain multiple 6 (EGFL6) as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in patients with UCEC. RNA sequencing data and clinical information from patients with UCEC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between EGFL6 expression and clinical features. Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis were performed to evaluate the EGFL6-related biological characteristics and signaling pathways. Immunohistochemistry was performed using UCEC tissue microarrays to assess EGFL6 expression. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the prognostic significance of EGFL6. Three nomograms were developed to predict overall survival, disease-specific survival, and progressionfree interval probabilities at 1, 3, and 5 years after diagnosis. The expression of EGFL6 was validated using quantitative real-time PCR. Our findings demonstrate that EGFL6 is markedly overexpressed in UCEC and is associated with unfavorable clinical characteristics, including clinical stage and histological type. Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis highlighted its possible association with various key signaling pathways. Additionally, EGFL6 expression was associated with decreased immune cell infiltration, particularly regulatory T cells (Tregs) (r = − 0.219, p < 0.001) and CD8 +T cells (r = − 0.217, p < 0.001). Overall, EGFL6 expression was associated with a poor patient prognosis in patients. In conclusion, EGFL6 is a potential biomarker for UCEC, and could greatly improve of diagnostic and prognostic evaluation. Keywords EGF-Like domain multiple 6, Biomarker, Prognosis, Immune infiltration, Uterine Corpus endometrial carcinoma Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is one of the most common cancers affecting the female reproductive system, and presents considerable health threats to women because of its elevated rates of morbidity and mortality1. According to global cancer statistics for 2022, UCEC ranks sixth among cancers in women2. In China, the incidence of UCEC is also notably high, typically ranking between eighth to tenth among Chinese women3. This estrogen-dependent malignancy poses disproportionate threats owing to its accelerating incidence rate (3.1% annual increase since 2010), coupled with established risk factors, including advanced 1School of Medicine, Kashi University, Kashi, China. 2Department of Tumor Internal Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Kashi Prefecture, Kashi, China. 3Department of Neurology, The First People’s Hospital of Kashi Prefecture, Kashi, China. 4Department of Geriatrics, The First People’s Hospital of Kashi Prefecture, Kashi, China. 5Department of General Surgery, Xinjiang Kashi Uygur Medical Hospital, Kashi, China. 6Department of Pathology, The First People’s Hospital of Kashi Prefecture, Kashi, China. 7Kashi Prefecture Cancer Research Institute, The First People’s Hospital of Kashi Prefecture, Kashi, China. 􀀍 email: [2102047134@qq.com](2102047134@qq.com); [2102047134@qq.com](2102047134@qq.com); [Abudursli@mail2.sysu.edu.cn](Abudursli@mail2.sysu.edu.cn) [www. nature.com/scientificreports/](www. nature.com/scientificreports/) age, hypertension, metabolic disorders (o

FAQs

What is EGFL6 and why is it studied in UCEC?

EGFL6 is examined because prior work suggests it participates in tumorigenesis and metastasis and may relate to endometrial cancer progression. This study focuses on whether EGFL6 can improve diagnosis and prognosis assessment in UCEC.

How was EGFL6 expression measured and validated?

EGFL6 expression was assessed using TCGA RNA-seq data and clinical information, then validated experimentally. Immunohistochemistry was performed on UCEC tissue microarrays and quantitative real-time PCR was used for validation.

How does EGFL6 relate to patient prognosis and immune infiltration?

Higher EGFL6 expression is associated with unfavorable clinical characteristics and poorer patient prognosis based on Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. It also correlates with decreased immune cell infiltration, particularly regulatory T cells (Tregs) and CD8+ T cells.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Chumphorn