Identification of a Potential Prognostic Signature based on Immune-related Genes in Primary Glioblastoma

Abstract Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common primary brain tumor with a high incidence in adults with malignant and fast-growing biological characteristics. In this study, we explore the immune-related prognosis markers of GBM at the mRNA level.Methods: The sequencing data and clinical information of GBM patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were calculated between normal tissues from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database and tumor tissues from TCGA and CGGA. We obtained immune genes from the ImmProt database. The intersection of DEGs and immune genes were defined as the immune-related differential genes (IR-DEGs), based on which, survival associated IR-DEGs were determined by multivariate Cox regression analysis. The survival risk score (SRS) was determined for each sample with the top 6 prognostic associated IR-DEGs. One-year, two-year, and three-year potential survival were predicted by the prognosis prediction model established by multivariate and univariate Cox regression. In addition, we performed CIBERSORT in GBM patients with samples from TCGA cohort; association analysis was performed with prognostic IR-DEGs and immune cells. Furthermore, the influence of prognostic IR-DEGs on the brain tumor microenvironment (TME) was validated in single-cell sequencing analysis.Results: We found 301 IR-DRGs in GBM primary tumor compared with normal tissue, and 19 of them could predict the overall survival (OS) more accurately in GBM patients. Six IR-DEGs (PLAUR, TNFSF14, CTSB, SOCS3, PTX3, and FCGR2B) were selected to construct the SRS, with which, GBM patients were divided into two different groups which combined with high and low risk. The SRS was found to be an independent prognostic factor for GBM and could predict GBM patients’ possible survival with an acceptable efficiency. Moreover, the expression of 6 IR-DEGs and their co-expressed IR-DEGs could influence TME and were associated with GBM prognosis.Conclusions: This study identified a potential immune prognostic signature of glioblastoma, which could enhance the prognosis prediction ability for GBM patients. The immune-related-genes in the TME could potentially benefit the immunotherapy development for GBM patients.

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Identification and development of an independent immune-related genes prognostic model for breast cancer

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-021-08041-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lin Chen ◽

Yuxiang Dong ◽

Yitong Pan ◽

Yuhan Zhang ◽

Ping Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽

Risk Scores ◽

Validation Dataset ◽

Immune Gene ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Immune Genes ◽

Immune Related Genes

Abstract Background Breast cancer is one of the main malignant tumors that threaten the lives of women, which has received more and more clinical attention worldwide. There are increasing evidences showing that the immune micro-environment of breast cancer (BC) seriously affects the clinical outcome. This study aims to explore the role of tumor immune genes in the prognosis of BC patients and construct an immune-related genes prognostic index. Methods The list of 2498 immune genes was obtained from ImmPort database. In addition, gene expression data and clinical characteristics data of BC patients were also obtained from the TCGA database. The prognostic correlation of the differential genes was analyzed through Survival package. Cox regression analysis was performed to analyze the prognostic effect of immune genes. According to the regression coefficients of prognostic immune genes in regression analysis, an immune risk scores model was established. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to probe the biological correlation of immune gene scores. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results In total, 556 immune genes were differentially expressed between normal tissues and BC tissues (p < 0. 05). According to the univariate cox regression analysis, a total of 66 immune genes were statistically significant for survival risk, of which 30 were associated with overall survival (P < 0.05). Finally, a 15 immune genes risk scores model was established. All patients were divided into high- and low-groups. KM survival analysis revealed that high immune risk scores represented worse survival (p < 0.001). ROC curve indicated that the immune genes risk scores model had a good reliability in predicting prognosis (5-year OS, AUC = 0.752). The established risk model showed splendid AUC value in the validation dataset (3-year over survival (OS) AUC = 0.685, 5-year OS AUC = 0.717, P = 0.00048). Moreover, the immune risk signature was proved to be an independent prognostic factor for BC patients. Finally, it was found that 15 immune genes and risk scores had significant clinical correlations, and were involved in a variety of carcinogenic pathways. Conclusion In conclusion, our study provides a new perspective for the expression of immune genes in BC. The constructed model has potential value for the prognostic prediction of BC patients and may provide some references for the clinical precision immunotherapy of patients.

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Development of a Multi-gene-based Immune Prognostic Signature in Ovarian Cancer

10.21203/rs.3.rs-52624/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

tiefeng cao ◽

huimin shen

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Network Analysis ◽

Prognostic Biomarkers ◽

Survival Prediction ◽

Immune Gene ◽

Prognostic Signature ◽

Data Set ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Immune Genes ◽

Immune Related Genes

Abstract Background：Chemotherapeutic resistance is responsible for treatment failure. Immunotherapy is important in ovarian cancer (OC). Systematic exploration of immunogenic landscape and reliable immune gene-based prognostic biomarkers or signature is necessary to be identified. This study aims to identify the immune gene-based prognostic biomarkers and regulatory factors, further to develop an individualized prediction signature.Methods: This study systematically explored the gene expression profiles from RNA-seq data set for The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ovarian cancer. Differentially expressed and survival-associated immune genes and transcription factors (TFs) were identified using immune genes from ImmPort dataset and TFs from Cistoma database. We developed the prognostic signature based on survival associated immune genes with LASSO (Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) Cox regression analysis. Further, Network analysis was performed to uncover the potential molecular mechanisms of immune-related genes with the help of computational biology. Results: The prognostic signature, a weighted combination of the 21 immune-related genes, performed moderately in survival prediction with AUC was 0.746, 0.735, and 0.749 for 1, 3, and 5 year overall survival, respectively. Network analysis uncovered the regulatory role of TFs in immune genes. Intriguingly, the prognostic signature reflected infiltration of some immune cell subtypes.Conclusions: We first constructed a signature with 21 immune genes of clinical significance, which showed promising predictive value in the surveillance, prognosis, even immunotherapy response of OC patients.

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Development of a Multi-gene-based Immune Prognostic Signature in Ovarian Cancer

10.21203/rs.3.rs-52624/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

tiefeng cao ◽

huimin shen

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Overall Survival ◽

Network Analysis ◽

Survival Prediction ◽

Immune Gene ◽

Prognostic Signature ◽

Data Set ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Immune Genes ◽

Immune Related Genes

Abstract Background： Various components of the immune system play a critical role in the prognosis and treatment response in ovarian cancer (OC). Immunotherapy has been recognized as a hallmark of cancer but the effect is contradictional. Reliable immune gene-based prognostic biomarkers or regulatory factors are necessary to be systematically explored to develop an individualized prediction signature.Methods: This study systematically explored the gene expression profiles in patients with ovarian cancer from RNA-seq data set for The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Differentially expressed immune genes and transcription factors (TFs) were identified using the collected immune genes from ImmPort dataset and TFs from Cistoma database. Survival associated immune genes and TFs were identified in terms of overall survival. The prognostic signature was developed based on survival associated immune genes with LASSO (Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) Cox regression analysis. Further, we performed network analysis to uncover the potential regulators of immune-related genes with the help of computational biology. Results: The prognostic signature, a weighted combination of the 21 immune-related genes, performed moderately in survival prediction with AUC was 0.746, 0.735, and 0.749 for 1, 3, and 5 year overall survival, respectively. Network analysis uncovered the regulatory role of TFs in immune genes. Intriguingly, the prognostic signature reflected the immune cells landscape and infiltration of some immune cell subtypes.Conclusions: We first constructed a signature with 21 immune genes of clinical significance, which showed promising predictive value in the surveillance, and prognosis of OC patients.

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Identification of a Five-Autophagy-Related-lncRNA Signature as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences ◽

10.3389/fmolb.2020.611626 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoyu Deng ◽

Qinghua Bi ◽

Shihan Chen ◽

Xianhua Chen ◽

Shuhui Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

High Risk ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Risk Group ◽

High Risk Group ◽

Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽

The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽

Prognostic Signature ◽

Prediction Ability ◽

Cox Regression Analysis

Although great progresses have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), its prognostic marker remains controversial. In this current study, weighted correlation network analysis and Cox regression analysis showed significant prognostic value of five autophagy-related long non-coding RNAs (AR-lncRNAs) (including TMCC1-AS1, PLBD1-AS1, MKLN1-AS, LINC01063, and CYTOR) for HCC patients from data in The Cancer Genome Atlas. By using them, we constructed a five-AR-lncRNA prognostic signature, which accurately distinguished the high- and low-risk groups of HCC patients. All of the five AR lncRNAs were highly expressed in the high-risk group of HCC patients. This five-AR-lncRNA prognostic signature showed good area under the curve (AUC) value (AUC = 0.751) for the overall survival (OS) prediction in either all HCC patients or HCC patients stratified according to several clinical traits. A prognostic nomogram with this five-AR-lncRNA signature predicted the 3- and 5-year OS outcomes of HCC patients intuitively and accurately (concordance index = 0.745). By parallel comparison, this five-AR-lncRNA signature has better prognosis accuracy than the other three recently published signatures. Furthermore, we discovered the prediction ability of the signature on therapeutic outcomes of HCC patients, including chemotherapy and immunotherapeutic responses. Gene set enrichment analysis and gene mutation analysis revealed that dysregulated cell cycle pathway, purine metabolism, and TP53 mutation may play an important role in determining the OS outcomes of HCC patients in the high-risk group. Collectively, our study suggests a new five-AR-lncRNA prognostic signature for HCC patients.

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A novel comprehensive immune-related gene signature as a promising survival predictor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

10.21203/rs.3.rs-26402/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ruihua Fang ◽

Lin Chen ◽

Jing Liao ◽

Jierong Luo ◽

Chenchen Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Gene Signature ◽

Related Gene ◽

Prognostic Signature ◽

Immune Microenvironment ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Immune Genes ◽

Immune Related Gene

Abstract Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the most frequent subtype of head and neck cancer, continues to have a poor prognosis with no improvement. Growing evidence has demonstrated that the immune system plays a crucial role in the development and progression of HNSCC. The goal of our study was to develop an immune-related signature for accurately predicting the survival of HNSCC patients. Methods: Gene expression profiles were established from a total of 546 HNSCC and normal tissues to establish a training set and 83 HNSCC tissues for a validation set. Differentially expressed prognostic immune genes were identified by univariate Cox regression analysis and a corresponding network of differentially expressed transcription factors (TFs) were identified using Cytoscape. The immune-related gene signature was established and validated by univariate Cox regression analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selector operation (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analyses. In addition, the prognostic value of the immune-related signature was analyzed by survival and Cox regression analysis. Finally, the correlation between the immune-related signature and the immune microenvironment was established.Results: In this study, the TF-mediated network revealed that Foxp3 plays a central role in the regulatory mechanism of most immune genes. A prognostic signature based on 10 immune-related genes, which divided patients into high and low risk groups, was developed and successfully validated using two independent databases. Our prognostic signature was significantly related to worse survival and predicted prognosis in patients with different clinicopathological factors. A nomogram including clinical characteristics was also constructed for accurate prediction. Furthermore, it was determined that our prognostic signature may act as an independent factor for predicting the survival of HNSCC patients. ROC analysis also revealed that our signature had superior predictive value compared with TNM stage. As for the immune microenvironment, our signature showed a positive correlation with activated mast cells and M0 macrophages, a negative correlation with Tregs, and immune checkpoint molecules PD-1 and CLTA-4. Conclusions: Our study established an immune-related gene signature, which not only provides a promising biomarker for survival prediction, but may be evaluated as an indicator for personalized immunotherapy in patients with HNSCC.

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Identification, Verification and Pathway Enrichment Analysis of Prognosis-Related Immune Genes in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Frontiers in Oncology ◽

10.3389/fonc.2021.695001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Zhipeng Zhu ◽

Mengyu Song ◽

Wenhao Li ◽

Mengying Li ◽

Sihan Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Risk Score ◽

Prognostic Model ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

Expression Data ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Immune Genes ◽

Immune Related Genes

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common malignant tumor with poor prognosis, poor treatment effect, and lack of effective biomarkers. In this study, bioinformatics analysis of immune-related genes of hepatocellular carcinoma was used to construct a multi-gene combined marker that can predict the prognosis of patients. The RNA expression data of hepatocellular carcinoma were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and immune-related genes were obtained from the IMMPORT database. Differential analysis was performed by Wilcox test to obtain differentially expressed genes. Univariate Cox regression analysis, lasso regression analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to establish a prognostic model of immune genes, a total of 5 genes (HDAC1, BIRC5, SPP1, STC2, NR6A1) were identified to construct the models. The expression levels of 5 genes in HCC tissues were significantly different from those in paracancerous tissues. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the risk score calculated according to the prognostic model was significantly related to the overall survival (OS) of HCC. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve confirmed that the prognostic model had high accuracy. Independent prognostic analysis was performed to prove that the risk value can be used as an independent prognostic factor. Then, the gene expression data of hepatocellular carcinoma in the ICGC database was used as a validation data set for the verification of the above steps. In addition, we used the CIBERSORT software and TIMER database to conduct immune infiltration research, and the results showed that the five genes of the model and the risk score have a certain correlation with the content of immune cells. Moreover, through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and the construction of protein interaction networks, we found that the p53-mediated signal transduction pathway is a potentially important signal pathway for hepatocellular carcinoma and is positively regulated by certain genes in the prognostic model. In conclusion, this study provides potential targets for predicting the prognosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma patients, and also provides new ideas about the correlation between immune genes and potential pathways of hepatocellular carcinoma.

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Establishment of an Immune-Related Gene Signature for Risk Stratification for Patients with Glioma

Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/2191709 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-20

Author(s):

Jimin He ◽

Chun Zeng ◽

Yong Long

Keyword(s):

Risk Stratification ◽

Prognostic Model ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Prognostic Indicator ◽

Gene Signature ◽

The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽

Survival Prediction ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Immune Related Genes ◽

Genome Atlas

Glioma is a frequently seen primary malignant intracranial tumor, characterized by poor prognosis. The study is aimed at constructing a prognostic model for risk stratification in patients suffering from glioma. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), integrated transcriptome analysis, and combining immune-related genes (IRGs) were used to identify core differentially expressed IRGs (DE IRGs). Subsequently, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were utilized to establish an immune-related risk score (IRRS) model for risk stratification for glioma patients. Furthermore, a nomogram was developed for predicting glioma patients’ overall survival (OS). The turquoise module ( cor = 0.67 ; P < 0.001 ) and its genes ( n = 1092 ) were significantly pertinent to glioma progression. Ultimately, multivariate Cox regression analysis constructed an IRRS model based on VEGFA, SOCS3, SPP1, and TGFB2 core DE IRGs, with a C-index of 0.811 (95% CI: 0.786-0.836). Then, Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curves revealed that patients presenting high risk had a dismal outcome ( P < 0.0001 ). Also, this IRRS model was found to be an independent prognostic indicator of gliomas’ survival prediction, with HR of 1.89 (95% CI: 1.252-2.85) and 2.17 (95% CI: 1.493-3.14) in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) datasets, respectively. We established the IRRS prognostic model, capable of effectively stratifying glioma population, convenient for decision-making in clinical practice.

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Prognostic Risk Model of Immune-Related Genes in Colorectal Cancer

Frontiers in Genetics ◽

10.3389/fgene.2021.619611 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Yucheng Qian ◽

Jingsun Wei ◽

Wei Lu ◽

Fangfang Sun ◽

Maxwell Hwang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Risk Model ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Assessment Model ◽

Prognostic Signature ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Tumor Immune Microenvironment ◽

Risk Scoring ◽

Immune Related Genes

PurposeWe focused on immune-related genes (IRGs) derived from transcriptomic studies, which had the potential to stratify patients’ prognosis and to establish a risk assessment model in colorectal cancer.SummaryThis article examined our understanding of the molecular pathways associated with intratumoral immune response, which represented a critical step for the implementation of stratification strategies toward the development of personalized immunotherapy of colorectal cancer. More and more evidence shows that IRGs play an important role in tumors. We have used data analysis to screen and identify immune-related molecular biomarkers of colon cancer. We selected 18 immune-related prognostic genes and established models to assess prognostic risks of patients, which can provide recommendations for clinical treatment and follow-up. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death in human. Several studies have investigated whether IRGs and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) could be indicators of CRC prognoses. This study aimed to develop an improved prognostic signature for CRC based on IRGs to predict overall survival (OS) and provide new therapeutic targets for CRC treatment. Based on the screened IRGs, the Cox regression model was used to build a prediction model based on 18-IRG signature. Cox regression analysis revealed that the 18-IRG signature was an independent prognostic factor for OS in CRC patients. Then, we used the TIMER online database to explore the relationship between the risk scoring model and the infiltration of immune cells, and the results showed that the risk model can reflect the state of TIME to a certain extent. In short, an 18-IRG prognostic signature for predicting CRC patients’ survival was firmly established.

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Identification of an independent immune-genes prognostic index for renal cell carcinoma

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-021-08367-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Guangyao Li ◽

Xiyi Wei ◽

Shifeng Su ◽

Shangqian Wang ◽

Wei Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Risk Score ◽

Roc Curve ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Immune Genes ◽

Score Model ◽

Set Up ◽

Immune Related Genes ◽

Survival Risk

Abstract Background Considerable evidence has indicated an association between the immune microenvironment and clinical outcome in ccRCC. The purpose of this study is to extensively figure out the influence of immune-related genes of tumors on the prognosis of patients with ccRCC. Methods Files containing 2498 immune-related genes were obtained from the Immunology Database and Analysis Portal (ImmPort), and the transcriptome data and clinical information relevant to patients with ccRCC were identified and downloaded from the TCGA data-base. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to screen out prognostic immune genes. The immune risk score model was established in light of the regression coefficient between survival and hub immune-related genes. We eventually set up a nomogram for the prediction of the overall survival for ccRCC. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) and ROC curve was used in evaluating the value of the predictive risk model. A P value of < 0.05 indicated statistically significant differences throughout data analysis. Results Via differential analysis, we found that 556 immune-related genes were expressed differentially between tumor and normal tissues (p < 0. 05). The analysis of univariate Cox regression exhibited that there was a statistical correlation between 43 immune genes and survival risk in patients with ccRCC (p < 0.05). Through Lasso-Cox regression analysis, we established an immune genetic risk scoring model based on 18 immune-related genes. The high-risk group showed a bad prognosis in K-M analysis. (p < 0.001). ROC curve showed that it was reliable of the immune risk score model to predict survival risk (5 year over survival, AUC = 0.802). The model indicated satisfactory AUC and survival correlation in the validation data set (5 year OS, Area Under Curve = 0.705, p < 0.05). From Multivariate regression analysis, the immune-risk score model plays an isolated role in the prediction of the prognosis of ccRCC. Under multivariate-Cox regression analysis, we set up a nomogram for comprehensive prediction of ccRCC patients’ survival rate. At last, it was identified that 18 immune-related genes and risk scores were not only tremendously related to clinical prognosis but also contained in a variety of carcinogenic pathways. Conclusion In general, tumor immune-related genes play essential roles in ccRCC development and progression. Our research established an unequal 18-immune gene risk index to predict the prognosis of ccRCC visually. This index was found to be an independent predictive factor for ccRCC.

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The novel immune-related genes predict the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89747-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lunxu Li ◽

Shilin Xia ◽

Xueying Shi ◽

Xu Chen ◽

Dong Shang

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Network Analysis ◽

Risk Score ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Low Risk ◽

Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽

The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽

Prediction Ability ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Immune Related Genes

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the main causes of cancer deaths globally. Immunotherapy is becoming increasingly important in the cure of advanced HCC. Thus it is essential to identify biomarkers for treatment response and prognosis prediction. We searched publicly available databases and retrieved 465 samples of genes from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and 115 tumor samples from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Meanwhile, we used the ImmPort database to determine the immune-related genes as well. Weighted gene correlation network analysis, Cox regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis were used to identify the key immune related genes (IRGs) which are closely related to prognosis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was implemented to explore the difference of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway between Immune high- and low-risk score groups. Finally, we made a prognostic nomogram including Immune-Risk score and other clinicopathologic factors. A total of 318 genes from prognosis related modules were identified through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). 46 genes were strongly linked to prognosis after univariate Cox analysis. We constructed a seven genes prognostic signature which showed powerful prediction ability in both training cohort and testing cohort. 16 significant KEGG pathways were identified between high- and low- risk score groups using GSEA analysis. This study identified and verified seven immune-related prognostic biomarkers for the patients with HCC, which have potential value for immune modulatory and therapeutic targets.

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