Prognostic Value and Oncogenic Effects of Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 43 in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Dysregulated expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 43 (USP43) has been recently discovered in malignancies. This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of USP43 protein in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and to explore its correlation with patients' clinicopathological characteristics as well as clinical outcomes. Expression of USP43 protein was determined by immunohistochemistry staining in a retrospective cohort containing 157 LUSC cases who underwent curative surgery in our hospital. Accordingly, USP43 protein was positively correlated with tumor size, depth of invasion, and lymph node metastasis. Patients with increased USP43 expression or positive lymph nodes exhibited a poorer overall survival. In addition, cellular assays elucidated that USP43 can promote LUSC growth and invasion. Taken together, our study demonstrated that USP43 may act as a proto-oncogene, which could be a promising biomarker and therapeutic target in the survival prediction and treatment of LUSC.