Prognostic model based on circular RNA circPDK1 for resected lung squamous cell carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators in various cancers.
• Their prognostic value in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains underexplored.
• This study investigates circRNAs as potential biomarkers for LSCC prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and validate circular RNA pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (circPDK1) as a prognostic biomarker in resected LSCC.
• To develop and evaluate a novel prognostic model for LSCC incorporating circPDK1 and clinicopathological factors.

Main Methods:

• circPDK1 expression was quantified using next-generation sequencing in 302 LSCC tissues.
• Prognostic value for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) was assessed.
• A nomogram-based prognostic model was constructed using circPDK1, T staging, lymph node (LN) metastasis, age, and serum squamous cell Carcinoma Antigen (SCCAg).

Main Results:

• circPDK1 was significantly overexpressed in LSCC tissues (P<0.01).
• Lower circPDK1 expression correlated with increased lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion, visceral pleural invasion, and poorer prognosis.
• The developed prognostic model demonstrated high predictive accuracy (C-index 0.8214 for RFS, 0.8359 for OS) in both study and validation cohorts.

Conclusions:

• circPDK1 serves as a significant and independent prognostic biomarker for resected LSCC.
• The integrated prognostic model incorporating circPDK1 offers effective prediction of LSCC patient outcomes.