Prognostic and onco-immunological value of immune-related eRNAs-driven genes in lung adenocarcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Genomics

Background:

• Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a major cause of cancer mortality.
• Identifying reliable biomarkers for prognosis and therapeutic response in LUAD is crucial for improving patient survival.
• Immune-related extracellular RNAs (eRNAs) are emerging as potential players in cancer development and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the clinical value of immune-related eRNAs-driven genes in LUAD.
• To identify potential biomarkers for predicting prognosis and response to therapy in LUAD.
• To develop a risk signature to improve survival outcomes for LUAD patients.

Main Methods:

• Pearson's correlation analysis to identify immune-related eRNAs-driven genes.
• Cox regression and LASSO analyses to construct a prognostic risk signature.
• GO and KEGG pathway analyses for molecular mechanism investigation.
• ssGSEA algorithm for immune status evaluation.
• qRT-PCR for gene expression validation.

Main Results:

• A prognostic risk signature comprising five immune-related eRNAs-driven genes (SHC1, GDF10, CCL14, FYN, NOD1) was constructed.
• High-risk scores correlated with malignant clinical features, shorter survival, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
• The signature demonstrated predictive capacity, validated across independent cohorts, and showed potential for predicting immunotherapy response.
• Specific genes (CCL14, FYN, NOD1, GDF10) were identified as potential LUAD suppressors, and SHC1 as a treatment target.

Conclusions:

• A novel prognostic risk signature for LUAD was developed, showing favorable predictive capacity.
• The signature is significantly associated with malignant features, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and immunotherapy response.
• This risk signature may offer clinical benefits for decision-making in LUAD management.