Objective: Sarcoma is a heterogeneous malignant cancer of mesenchymal origin, and approximately 80% of cases are soft tissue sarcomas (STSs). NTRK genes play roles in nerve cell development, while the MAPK signaling pathway contributes to tumor cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. URGCP is an oncogene involved in tumor development in many cancers; however, its role and molecular mechanism in STS remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the expression and correlations of the NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3 genes, MAPK signaling pathway genes, and the URGCP oncogene in STS subtypes.
Materials and Methods: RNA was isolated from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples obtained from 80 patients with STS. The expression levels of NTRK1, NTRK2, NTRK3, MEK1, MEK2, ERK1, and the URGCP oncogene were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Correlations among these genes and their associations with STS were evaluated.
Results: The analyses did not reveal statistically significant correlations between NTRK genes and genes involved in the MAPK signaling pathway. In addition, no statistically significant association was observed between URGCP expression and STS.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates for the first time the association of URGCP with soft tissue sarcoma and reveals a link between NTRK genes and the MAPK signaling pathway in STS.