Unveiling ac4C modification pattern: a prospective target for improving the response to immunotherapeutic strategies

Jianlan Liu1, Pengpeng Zhang2, Chaoqin Wu1

  • 1Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

Insights

This study identifies N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) mRNA modification patterns and related genes (acRG) that impact melanoma patient outcomes. The developed ac4C-related signature (acRGS) predicts survival and immunotherapy response in melanoma.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) mRNA modification is linked to cancer, but its role in melanoma clinical outcomes remains unclear.
  • Understanding ac4C patterns can reveal new biomarkers for melanoma progression and treatment response.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between ac4C mRNA modification patterns and clinical characteristics in melanoma.
  • To identify ac4C-related genes (acRG) and develop a predictive signature (acRGS) for melanoma patient prognosis and immunotherapy sensitivity.

Main Methods:

  • Integrated single-cell sequencing and transcriptomics data to identify acRG in melanoma.
  • Developed and validated an acRG-related signature (acRGS) using machine learning algorithms.
  • Analyzed associations between acRGS, immune checkpoints, immune cell infiltration, tumor mutation burden, and MYO10 expression.

Main Results:

  • Elevated acRG scores were associated with melanocyte clusters and enhanced intercellular communication.
  • The 10-gene acRGS accurately predicted overall survival in melanoma patients across multiple datasets.
  • acRGS showed strong correlations with immune biomarkers, suggesting potential for predicting immunotherapy response.
  • MYO10 overexpression was linked to aggressive melanoma phenotypes and poor prognosis; its silencing inhibited tumor growth.

Conclusions:

  • The acRG signature (acRGS) serves as a robust biomarker for predicting melanoma patient prognosis and response to immunotherapy.
  • MYO10 is a potential therapeutic target for melanoma, as its inhibition affects tumor progression.
  • ac4C modification patterns offer a novel avenue for improving clinical management of melanoma.

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