Anoikis in prostate cancer bone metastasis gene signatures and therapeutic implications

Bone metastasis from prostate cancer severely impacts patient outcomes and quality of life. Anoikis, a form of programmed cell death triggered by the loss of cell-matrix interactions, plays a critical role in cancer progression. However, its precise relationship with prostate cancer-induced bone metastasis remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate this relationship, focusing on anoikis-related gene signatures, molecular pathways, and therapeutic implications.

We used the TCGA-PRAD dataset for training, with MSKCC and GSE70769 as validation cohorts. To evaluate immunotherapy efficacy, we examined IMvigor 210 and GSE91016 datasets, and GSE137829 provided single-cell insights into prostate cancer. Specific anoikis-related genes (ARGs) were identified, and Random Survival Forest analysis and multivariate Cox regression were employed to develop anoikis-linked features. The 'clustanoikisProfilanoikis' and 'GSEA' packages were used to explore potential ARG-related pathways.

Analyzing 553 samples from TCGA, 231 from MSKCC, 94 from GSE70769, and single-cell data from 6 prostate cancer patients (GSE137829), we constructed a prognostic model based on 9 ARGs. GSVA revealed upregulation of carcinogenic pathways, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, E2F targets, and angiogenesis, with downregulation of metabolic pathways. Significant differences in somatic mutations were observed between cohorts, with a positive correlation between anoikis scores and tumor mutational burden (TMB). Immune landscape analysis suggested high-risk patients might benefit more from chemotherapy than immunotherapy based on their risk score. Single-cell analysis indicated overactivation of carcinogenic pathways in the high anoikis score group.

This study elucidates the complex interplay between anoikis and bone metastasis in prostate cancer. Our findings highlight the critical role of anoikis in metastatic progression, enhancing the understanding of key biomarkers and molecular dynamics. The identified anoikis-related gene signatures and disrupted pathways offer promising avenues for predictive and therapeutic strategies in prostate cancer management.