BEND4: a novel prognostic biomarker in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• BEN domain-containing protein 4 (BEND4) is involved in cancer, but its role in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is unknown.
• This study investigates the prognostic significance of BEND4 in DLBCL.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze BEND4 expression in DLBCL.
• To determine the association between BEND4 and DLBCL prognosis, survival, and immune infiltration.
• To explore BEND4's potential as a therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

• Bioinformatic analysis of BEND4 expression in CCLE, HPA, and TCGA databases.
• Correlation analysis of BEND4 with DLBCL survival, prognosis, and immune cell infiltration using TCGA data.
• Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
• In vitro validation using qRT-PCR and cell proliferation assays.

Main Results:

• BEND4 is overexpressed in DLBCL at mRNA and protein levels.
• High BEND4 expression is linked to shorter survival, increased mortality, and poor prognosis, acting as an independent risk factor.
• BEND4 correlates with chromatin remodeling, immune response, and epigenetic regulation, and is inversely associated with immune cell infiltration.
• BEND4 inhibition enhances DLBCL cell sensitivity to chemotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Elevated BEND4 expression in DLBCL is associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance.
• BEND4's roles in transcriptional regulation and immune suppression contribute to its impact on DLBCL.
• BEND4 presents a potential therapeutic target for DLBCL treatment.