FAM20A - a potential diagnostic biomarker for lung squamous cell carcinoma - Promising biomarker for LUSC diagnostic and prognostic use

Sep 21, 2026

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Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) has a high incidence and poor survival, and effective therapies remain limited. This study identifies Family with Sequence Similarity 20, Member A (FAM20A) as a biomarker to support earlier diagnosis and improved clinical stratification. Using TCGA, GTEx, and CGGA analyses followed by validation in patient samples, expression, diagnostic and prognostic performance, immune features, immune checkpoints, DNA repair signatures, DNA methylation patterns, and pathway activity were systematically evaluated. Findings show reduced FAM20A expression in LUSC with survival correlations and links to immune checkpoint activity and radiotherapy resistance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

FAM20 gene family background and rationale

Methods

Data sources and analytical approach

Results

Differential expression, survival links, and pathway associations

Conclusion

TYPE Original Research PUBLISHED 25 June 2024 DOI 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1424197 OPEN ACCESS EDITED BY Lisha Mou, Shenzhen Second People ’s Hospital, China REVIEWED BY Jinxing Ma, University of Colorado, United States Dai Yaling, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China *CORRESPONDENCE Yong Feng [yongfeng33@sina.com](yongfeng33@sina.com)[ ](yongfeng33@sina.com)Yi Wang [w_yi2022@163.com](w_yi2022@163.com)[ ](w_yi2022@163.com)Siyuan Song [si-yuan.song@bcm.edu](si-yuan.song@bcm.edu) †These authors have contributed equally to this work RECEIVED 27 April 2024 ACCEPTED 04 June 2024 PUBLISHED 25 June 2024 CITATION Zhang Y, Sun Q, Liang Y, Yang X, Wang H, Song S, Wang Y and Feng Y (2024) FAM20A: a potential diagnostic biomarker for lung squamous cell carcinoma. Front. Immunol. 15:1424197 . doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1424197 COPYRIGHT © 2024 Zhang, Sun, Liang, Yang, Wang, Song, Wang and Feng. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. FAM20A: a potential diagnostic biomarker for lung squamous cell carcinoma Yalin Zhang 1†, Qin Sun 1†, Yangbo Liang 1†, Xian Yang 1, Hailian Wang 2, Siyuan Song 3*, Yi Wang 1,2* and Yong Feng 4* 1Center for Critical Care Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 2Clinical Immunology Translational Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Organ Transplantation, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 3 Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States, 4 Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China Background: Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) ranks among the carcinomas with the highest incidence and dismal survival rates, suffering from a lack of effective therapeutic strategies. Consequently, biomarkers facilitating early diagnosis of LUSC could signiﬁcantly enhance patient survival. This study aims to identify novel biomarkers for LUSC. Methods: Utilizing the TCGA, GTEx, and CGGA databases, we focused on the gene encoding Family with Sequence Similarity 20, Member A (FAM20A) across various cancers. We then corroborated these bioinformatic predictions with clinical samples. A range of analytical tools, including Kaplan-Meier, MethSurv database, Wilcoxon rank-sum, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, and TIMER database, were employed to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of FAM20A in LUSC. These tools also helped evaluate immune cell inﬁltration, immune checkpoint genes, DNA repair-related genes, DNA methylation, and tumor-related pathways. Results: FAM20A expression was found to be signiﬁcantly reduced in LUSC, correlating with lower survival rates. It exhibited a negative correlation with key proteins in DNA repair signaling pathways, potentially contributing to LUSC’s radiotherapy resistance. Additionally, FAM20A showed a positive correlation with immune checkpoints like CTLA-4, indicating potential heightened sensitivity to immunotherapies targeting these checkpoints. Conclusion: FAM20A emerges as a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for LUSC, offering potential clinical applications. KEYWORDS LUSC, Fam20A, tumors, immunotherapy, DNA repair, radiotherapy Frontiers in Immunology 01 [frontiersin.org](frontiersin.org) Introduction Lung sq

FAQs

What problem does the study address in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC)?

The study targets LUSC’s high incidence and poor survival, emphasizing the need for biomarkers that enable early diagnosis and better prediction of therapeutic outcomes.

How was FAM20A evaluated in this research?

FAM20A was analyzed using TCGA, GTEx, and CGGA databases, and then corroborated with clinical samples. Diagnostic and prognostic roles were assessed with multiple statistical and enrichment tools, alongside immune, checkpoint, DNA repair, methylation, and pathway analyses.

What key findings connect FAM20A to diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response?

FAM20A expression was significantly reduced in LUSC and correlated with lower survival. It showed associations with DNA repair signaling proteins and potential radiotherapy resistance, and it was positively linked to immune checkpoints such as CTLA-4, suggesting possible sensitivity to corresponding immunotherapies.

Sep 21, 2026

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