Circadian and autophagy markers correlate with poor prognosis in meningioma patients

Patients with meningiomas mostly present good outcomes and optimal prognosis, but different grades of tumors have very different symptoms and recurrence rates. Therefore, effective diagnosis is crucial for early intervention and controlling tumor development. Circadian cycle and autophagy have both been proven to be related to neoplasm formation and pathogenesis; however, there is limited exploration and discussion on the relationships between the circadian cycle and autophagy in patients with meningiomas. This study was undertaken to elucidate the relationship between two autophagy markers (Beclin1, LC3B) and one circadian marker (NR1D1) with clinicopathological parameters in patients with meningiomas.

Clinicopathological data of 124 enrolled patients were collected. Tissue-sectioned slides were analyzed via immunohistochemical stains and the relationship between the markers was evaluated.

Individually low expression of NR1D1 and Beclin 1 was associated with better prognosis, lower pathological grade, and longer survival. Although correlation analysis showed that NR1D1, Beclin 1 and LC3B were related to each other. However, the dual marker NR1D1-/Beclin 1- was effective in predicting good prognosis in meningiomas, whereas NR1D1-/LC3B- was not.

NR1D1 and Beclin 1 could be adopted as a single marker or coupled as a combined marker to predict meningioma prognoses, pathological grades, and survival. This study provides insights into the association between autophagy and circadian cycles and may benefit future elucidation of molecular mechanisms.