Translator IL2RA contributes to poor prognosis in kidney clear cell carcinoma by affecting the early stage of lymphocyte activation

Abstract Background IL2RA has been shown to play an important function in tumorigenesis. However, the exact mechanism by which it functions in KIRC is poorly understood. Methods Initially, we performed a pan-cancer study using the TIMER database to identify the expression variation of IL2RA in KIRC. Then, Kaplan-Meier, clinicopathological, and COX regression analyses using the TCGA database were performed to show the association of the IL2RA expression level with overall survival and clinicopathology of KIRC patients. Next, we used GO and KEGG enrichment analysis to reveal the association of IL2RA level with immunity. Finally, in order to explore the association of IL2RA expression levels with immunity, our group adopted an immunotherapeutic research approach to determine the mechanism of its influence. Results IL2RA was found to have high expression levels in KIRC and to be correlated with clinicopathology. Based on GSEA analysis, it was discovered that IL2RA is associated with immune pathways in KIRC. Immunotherapy analysis provided further clarification on the correlation between IL2RA and immunotherapy. Conclusions The expression level of IL2RA has an important role in the development and escape of KIRC. IL2RA has a complex immunoregulatory mechanism in this tumor. Our study suggests that it contributes to the poor prognosis for KIRC patients mainly by affecting the early stages of lymphocyte response.