EPDR1 is related to stages and metastasize in bladder cancer and can be used as a prognostic biomarker.

Background Bladder cancer (BLCA) is a malignant urothelial carcinoma and has a high mortality rate. EPDR1 (ependymin related 1) is a type II transmembrane protein and related to calcium-dependent cell adhesion. Methods We explored the potential oncogenic roles of EPDR1 in BLCA basing on the multiple public datasets. Results We found that EPDR1 expression had a significant difference in BLCA and adjacent normal bladder tissues, and the level of EPDR1was up-regulated with advanced tumor stage and metastasis in BLCA. Meanwhile, the high expression group of EPDR1 had a shorter OS compared to the low or medium expression-group. Furthermore, EPDR1 expression was associated with tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs), including NK cells, CD8 + T cells, CD4 + T cells, Macrophages cells, and so on. Moreover, EPDR1 also involved in several signaling pathways as well as PI3K/AKT pathway, Cytokine receptor interaction, and apoptosis. Conclusion EPDR1 can be used as a novel prognostic biomarker as well as an effective target for diagnosis and treatment in BLCA.