SLC22A16 upregulation is an independent unfavorable prognostic indicator in gastric cancer

Aim:To study the expression profile of SLC22A16 in gastric cancer (GC), its prognostic value and the potential mechanisms of its upregulation. Patients & methods: A retrospective study was performed by using data in the Human Protein Atlas and The Cancer Genome Atlas-Stomach Cancer (STAD). Results:SLC22A16 was significantly upregulated in GC tissues compared with normal stomach tissues. SLC22A16 upregulation independently predicted poor overall survival(hazard ratio [HR]: 1.424,95% CI: 1.169-1.735; p<0.001) and recurrence-free survival (HR: 1.658, 95% CI: 1.292-2.128; p<0.001) in early GC and poor overall survival (HR: 1.411, 95%CI: 1.137-1.752; p=0.002) in advanced GC. SLC22A16 DNA hypomethylation might be a compensation for DNA loss to maintain SLC22A16 elevation in GC. Conclusion:SLC22A16 might be a valuable prognostic marker in GC.