The role of PSMC4 in non-small cell lung cancer: implications for prognosis, diagnosis, and immune microenvironment modulation

Lili Zhu ¹, Yuanjun Li ², Yunfei Xu ^2,3

⁰Department of Pathology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Frontiers in Oncology +

|

May 19, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Proteasome 26S subunit ATPase 4 (PSMC4) is elevated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), correlating with advanced stages and poor survival. PSMC4 shows promise as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for NSCLC.

Area Of Science

Oncology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality, necessitating novel biomarkers for improved diagnosis and treatment.
Proteasome 26S subunit ATPase 4 (PSMC4), a key component of the proteasome, is implicated in protein degradation and tumor progression, but its specific role in NSCLC is not fully understood.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the expression profile of PSMC4 in NSCLC.
To evaluate the correlation of PSMC4 with clinicopathological features, diagnostic value, and prognostic significance.
To explore the role of PSMC4 in the tumor microenvironment and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Main Methods

Bioinformatic analysis of PSMC4 expression in NSCLC datasets.
Correlation analysis with clinicopathological characteristics, survival data, and tumor microenvironment factors.
Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for diagnostic efficacy.
Univariate and multivariate Cox regression for prognostic assessment.
Immunohistochemistry and functional assays (cell proliferation, xenograft models) to validate findings.

Main Results

PSMC4 expression is significantly elevated in NSCLC, particularly lung adenocarcinoma, and correlates with advanced T, N, and pathological stages.
PSMC4 demonstrates high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.
Elevated PSMC4 levels are associated with reduced overall survival, disease-specific survival, and progression-free intervals, identifying it as an independent prognostic marker.
PSMC4 is linked to key biological processes like DNA replication and cell cycle pathways (G2/M DNA damage checkpoint) and signaling pathways (WNT).
Immunohistochemistry confirms increased PSMC4 expression in NSCLC tissues, and functional studies show PSMC4 promotes cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth.

Conclusions

PSMC4 serves as a valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for NSCLC.
PSMC4 plays a significant role in NSCLC progression and the tumor immune microenvironment.
Targeting PSMC4 presents a potential therapeutic strategy for NSCLC treatment.

Keywords:

PSMC4 cell proliferation immune infiltration non-small cell lung cancer prognosis

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