Pan-cancer comprehensive analysis: The role of important PTK family genes in cancer

Background Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and is expected to continue to impose an increasing burden on global health in the coming decades, remaining a major public health crisis worldwide. The Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) family consists of proteins with tyrosine kinase activity that can phosphorylate tyrosine residues of key molecules in signal transduction pathways. Their fundamental functions are essential for maintaining normal cell growth and differentiation. However, abnormal activation of PTKs due to various factors can cause cells to deviate from their expected trajectory, entering a state of abnormal growth, thus leading to cancer. Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), including Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 (PTK2, also known as FAK or FAK1), is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that has been reported to be elevated and associated with recurrent mutations in various cancers, correlating with advanced disease and poor survival rates. It plays a significant role in multiple processes such as tumor cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival. However, the potential biological functions and pathways of PTKs in the progression of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain unclear. Methods Utilizing existing public databases, this study employed bioinformatics analysis to investigate the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor family genes across various cancers and their prognostic significance. Additionally, it explored the correlations between the expression of these factors and various elements, including the tumor microenvironment (TME), immune subtypes, stemness scores, and drug sensitivity in pan-cancer contexts. Results The expression levels of Protein tyrosine kinase receptor-associated factors 2, 2B, and 7 were elevated in different types of tumors. Patients exhibiting high expression of these genes typically faced poorer prognoses. Furthermore, significant correlations were observed between the expression of the Protein tyrosine kinase receptor-associated factor family genes and multiple dimensions of TME, immune subtypes, and drug sensitivity.