BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the transcript preference of PTK7 in adrenocortical cancer (ACC), the prognostic value, and the potential underlying genetic alterations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from the Cancer Genome Atlas-Adrenocortical Cancer (TCGA-ACC) and the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx)-normal adrenal gland were used for analysis.

RESULTS: A non-canonical alternative transcript, ENST00000489707.5, which only encodes an extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain and an intracellular kinase domain, is the dominant isoform of PTK7 in both ACC and normal adrenal gland. Its expression percentage was significantly higher in ACC than in normal adrenal gland. ACC tissues showed preferred expression of this transcript compared with other cancers with known PTK7 expression. Prognostic analysis showed that ENST00000489707.5 had independent prognostic value in progression-free survival (PFS) (HR: 1.227, 95%CI: 1.077–1.398, p=0.002) and disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR: 1.419, 95%CI: 1.154–1.745, p=0.001) after adjustment of other risk factors. cg20819617 methylation was negatively correlated with both PTK7 and ENST00000489707.5 expression.

CONCLUSIONS: ENST00000489707.5 is a preferred alternative splicing product of PTK7, with a significantly increased proportion in ACC compared with other cancers. Its expression shows potential prognostic value in terms of PFS and DSS in ACC patients. The methylation status of cg20819617 might play a critical role in modulating PTK7 transcription and ENST00000489707.5 expression.

Keywords: Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms, Alternative Splicing, Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases, Biomarkers, Tumor, Cell Adhesion Molecules, DNA Methylation, Databases, Genetic, Protein Isoforms