Comprehensive pan-cancer analysis and experimental validation of TRAP1 as a possible medicinal target

Purpose Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) is essential for carcinogenesis and the advancement of cancer, making it a promising therapeutic target in oncology. Nevertheless, comprehensive bioinformatic analyses of TRAP1 across diverse cancer types are limited. Herein, we analyzed TRAP1 across all cancer types, focusing on its expression in relation to prognosis, immune infiltration, and the mammalian target of rapamycin and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathways. Methods We evaluated TRAP1's clinical relevance for prognostic predictions and its association with tumor immunity and metabolism. TRAP1's function in hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasion, migration, and proliferation was examined in vitro using wound healing assays and the cell counting kit-8; apoptosis was examined through reactive oxygen species detection. Results We found that TRAP1 significantly predicts cancer prognosis and is closely linked to immune and metabolic tumor characteristics. In liver cancer cells, TRAP1 knockdown prevented invasion, migration, and proliferation; increased reactive oxygen species; and promoted apoptosis. Conclusion In summary, TRAP1 is a useful biomarker for liver cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment, with potential in immunological studies and pan-cancer therapies. TRAP1 may be a promising target for novel metabolic treatments, encouraging further in vivo and in vitro investigations. These findings underscore TRAP1’s clinical relevance across malignancies and provide a foundation for its therapeutic application.