Identifying critical protein-coding genes and long non-coding RNAs in non-functioning pituitary adenoma recurrence

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Oncology
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Bioinformatics and Systems Biology

Background:

• Non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) is a common intracranial tumor where predicting postoperative recurrence is difficult due to lack of hormonal markers.
• Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and protein-coding genes (PCGs) are implicated in tumor development, but their roles in NFPA recurrence remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the complex RNA interaction networks underlying NFPA postoperative recurrence.
• To identify differentially expressed genes and lncRNAs associated with fast versus slow recurrence.
• To discover potential transcriptome expression markers for NFPA recurrence prediction.

Main Methods:

• High-throughput sequencing and follow-up investigations of 73 NFPA patients.
• Differential expression analysis comparing fast (recurrence <1 year) and slow (recurrence 5 years) recurrence groups.
• Construction of protein-protein interaction, lncRNA-mRNA coexpression networks, and identification of hub modules.

Main Results:

• A set of differentially expressed PCGs and lncRNAs were identified between fast and slow recurrence groups (P<0.05).
• Hub lncRNA-mRNA modules and transcriptome expression markers related to NFPA recurrence were screened (P<0.05).
• The prognostic ability of identified genes for predicting recurrence and progression-free survival was evaluated.

Conclusions:

• The study identified key lncRNAs and PCGs associated with NFPA recurrence patterns.
• These findings may aid in evaluating NFPA recurrence and understanding underlying mechanisms.
• Potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for NFPA recurrence were revealed.