The role of SLC22A4 in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

This study aimed to explore the role of SLC22A4 (encoding the organic cation transporter OCTN1) in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) prognosis and therapy. Methods: RNA-sequencing data from 151 TCGA-AML samples and six Gene Expression Omnibus datasets (62 normal bone marrow and 520 AML samples) were analysed. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified immune-related gene modules. Differential expression analysis, survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier, Cox regression), methylation profiling, immune infiltration (xCell, EPIC), and drug sensitivity correlations were performed. Statistical methods included Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, ROC curves, and LASSO regression.

SLC22A4 expression was significantly decreased in AML compared with normal samples. The high-expression group was associated with a better prognosis than the low-expression group. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed enrichment in metabolic transport, immune, and tumour-related pathways. SLC22A4 expression was negatively correlated with immune cells, and methylation of SLC22A4 was significantly negatively correlated with expression. Moreover, it was predicted that 5 miRNAs could regulate SLC22A4 expression. Drug-sensitivity analysis showed positive correlations with cyclobenzaprine, hydrochloride, SGX-523, and simvastatin, and negative correlations with fluorouracil, abexinostat, EMD-534085, hypothemycin, tamoxifen, and sunitinib.

SLC22A4 may be useful as a potent molecular-targeted agent in AML.