Construction of a Cancer Stem Cell Marker Genes-Related 22-Gene Signature for Overall Survival Prediction in High-Risk Wilms' Tumor

Lihong Duan ¹, Wudie Xia ²

⁰Operating Room, Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Fetal and Pediatric Pathology +

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August 7, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Researchers identified a 22-gene signature for predicting overall survival in high-risk Wilms

Area Of Science

Oncology
Genomics
Pediatric Cancer Research

Background

High-risk Wilms' tumor (WT) presents challenges in predicting patient outcomes.
Cancer stem cell (CSC)-related genes play a crucial role in tumor progression and survival.
Understanding gene expression profiles is vital for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose Of The Study

To comprehensively analyze the expression of CSC-related genes in high-risk WT.
To develop a prognostic gene signature for predicting overall survival (OS) in these patients.
To identify potential therapeutic targets based on gene expression patterns.

Main Methods

Utilized gene expression and survival data from 120 high-risk WT cases from the TARGET-WT database.
Identified significantly dysregulated CSC-related genes by comparing tumor and adjacent normal tissues.
Employed LASSO regression to construct a predictive 22-gene signature for OS.

Main Results

229 CSC-related genes were found to be significantly dysregulated in WT, with 34 linked to OS.
The developed 22-gene signature demonstrated high accuracy (AUC > 0.86) in predicting 3-, 5-, and 10-year OS.
A high-risk score based on the signature was independently associated with significantly poorer OS (HR = 5.086, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

A robust 22-gene prognostic signature for high-risk Wilms' tumor overall survival prediction was successfully developed.
This signature can serve as an independent prognostic factor, aiding clinical decision-making.
The findings provide a foundation for further research into CSC-targeted therapies for WT.

Keywords:

Wilms’ tumor cancer stem cell gene signature overall survival