Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 30, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Molecular Biomarker Testing for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: September 8, 2023
Expression of RSK4 in lung adenocarcinoma tissue and its clinicopathological value: a study based on RNA-seq data and
Qiancheng He1, Rongquan He2, Wenqi Luo3
1Department of General Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, P. R. China.
Abstract:
The clinical significance of p90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) family members in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze genomic alterations in RSK family membersand investigate the expression and clinicopathological significance of RSK4 in LUAD tissues. Genomic calterations of RSK family, overall survival, andinteraction networks were analyzed in patients with LUAD (n=522), using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The expression of RSK4 protein was investigated in an independent cohort of patients with LUAD (n=127) by immunohistochemistry, and relationships between RSK4 protein levels and clinicopathological parameters of LUAD were analyzed. Patients with LUAD with RSK genomic alterations had significantly better overall survival than patients without alterations (P=0.026). RSK4 mRNA was overexpressed in LUAD compared with noncancerous lung tissue (P=0.013), and the diagnostic value of RSK4 expression was moderate, as evaluated by a value of 0.603 for the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (95% CI, 0.551-0.655; P=0.01). RSK4 protein levels were significantly higher in LUAD than in para-carcinoma tissue (P=0.002); moreover, RSK4 protein expression was closely associated with TNM stage (P<0.001), tumor diameter (P<0.001), lymphatic metastasis (P<0.001), and distant metastasis (P=0.003). In conclusion, alterations to RSK family members may affect tumor progression in LUAD. RSK4 is a potentially useful molecular biomarker for LAUD diagnosis and may predict disease progression in patients with this condition.
Insights
Genomic alterations in the p90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) family are linked to better survival in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). RSK4 protein is overexpressed in LUAD and may serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and predicting disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The clinical significance of p90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) family members in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains largely uncharacterized.
- Understanding the role of RSK family members in LUAD progression is crucial for identifying novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze genomic alterations within the RSK family in LUAD.
- To investigate the expression patterns and clinicopathological significance of RSK4 in LUAD tissues.
Main Methods:
- Utilized The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database for genomic alterations, overall survival, and interaction network analysis in 522 LUAD patients.
- Employed immunohistochemistry on an independent cohort of 127 LUAD patients to assess RSK4 protein expression and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters.
Main Results:
- Patients with LUAD exhibiting RSK genomic alterations demonstrated significantly improved overall survival (P=0.026).
- RSK4 mRNA was overexpressed in LUAD tissues compared to non-cancerous lung tissue (P=0.013), with moderate diagnostic value (AUC=0.603).
- RSK4 protein levels were significantly elevated in LUAD tissues and strongly associated with advanced TNM stage, larger tumor diameter, and lymphatic and distant metastasis (P<0.001 for all).
Conclusions:
- Alterations in RSK family members may influence tumor progression in LUAD.
- RSK4 emerges as a potential molecular biomarker for LUAD diagnosis.
- RSK4 expression may predict disease progression in LUAD patients, warranting further investigation.
