Comprehensive Analysis of Characteristics of Cuproptosis-Related LncRNAs Associated with Prognosis of Lung Adenocarcinoma and Tumor Immune Microenvironment

Abstract

As a novel discovered mechanism of cell death, cuproptosis is copper-dependent and induces protein toxicity related to advanced tumors, disease prognosis, and human innate and adaptive immune response. However, it has not yet been fully established how the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is related to the immune microenvironment of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs using several bioinformatic techniques. In the study, 19 genes related to cuproptosis were collected. Subsequently, 783 lncRNAs related to the co-expression of cuproptosis were obtained. Moreover, the Cox model revealed and constructed four lncRNA (AC012020.1, AC114763.1, AL161431.1, AC010260.1) prognostic markers related to cuproptosis. Based on the median risk score (RS) values, patients were categorized into two groups: high risk and low risk. The Kaplan–Meier (KM) survival curve depicted a statistically significant overall survival (OS) rate among two groups. Principal component analysis (PCA) and receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) proved that the model had promising ability in prognosis. The analysis of univariate and multivariate Cox regression revealed that RS served as an independent prognostic factor. Moreover, multivariate Cox regression was employed for the establishment of a nomogram of prognostic indicators. The tumor mutational burden (TMB) depicted a considerable difference between the two risk groups. The immunotherapy response of LUAD patients with high risk was improved compared to low risk patients. The study also revealed that drug sensitivity associated with LUAD was significantly linked to RS. The findings could be helpful to establish a good diagnosis, prognosis, and management regime for patients with LUAD.

Keywords

• lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD)
• immune microenvironment
• cuproptosis
• lncRNA
• prognostic markers
• drug sensitivity