Molecular Subtype Classification and Mechanistic Investigation Based on Ferroptosis-Related lncRNAs in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC) ranks among the most prevalent malignant tumors in women, contributing significantly to mortality rates. This disease exhibits considerable heterogeneity, characterized by intricate molecular and genetic alterations. Ferroptosis, a distinct form of cell death, has emerged as a critical factor in various cancers, including OC. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in OC patients remain unclear and require further investigation. This study aimed to identify lncRNA associated with OC and elucidate the underlying mechanisms through bioinformatics methods and experimental validation. Ferroptosis-related lncRNAs (FRLs) was identified in OC, and its prognostic value was assessed using univariate Cox analysis. Additionally, the molecular subtypes of FRLs were evaluated through the ConsensusClusterPlus software package. Notably, Cluster 2 exhibited a low TME score, which was linked to a poorer prognosis. The GSEA suggested that Cluster 2 shared similarities with other clusters associated with worse survival outcomes, likely due to the activation of tumor-associated pathways. In vitro experiments further confirmed that certain lncRNAs could be upregulated under ferroptotic conditions. We focused on two lncRNAs, AC027348.1 and TRAM2-AS1, which were not noticed before and were significantly upregulated, to explore their regulatory effects on ferroptosis. The underlying mechanisms were preliminarily investigated through transcriptome sequencing. In summary, our findings offer new insights into the pathogenesis of OC, particularly regarding the role of lncRNAs related to ferroptosis.