A novel N7-methylguanosine-associated feature predicts prognosis in gastric cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background Despite substantial advancements in gastric cancer treatment in recent years, our understanding of the disease’s pathophysiology and progression processes remains limited, and the prognosis for gastric cancer patients remains poor. This study investigated potential prognostic indicators based on m7G-associated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and its relationship with gastric cancer (STAD). Methods The researchers used RNA-seq and prognostic data from TCGA, employing Cox regression, co-expression network analysis, and multivariate Cox regression to identify relevant lncRNAs. We compiled four m7G-related lncRNAs into a single signature. Results We found it may be used as a prognostic indicator for gastric cancer. The m7G-related lncRNA profile had an area under the curve of 0.710, significantly more diagnostic than clinicopathological markers. The study also found that the TMB and tumor microenvironment were associated with gastric cancer risk, highlighting their signature’s potential utility for personalized treatment and disease monitoring. Conclusions This study provides a novel signature of m7G-related lncRNAs that can be used as a prognostic indicator for gastric cancer and may help guide the development of targeted immunotherapy for the condition.

Keywords

• m7G methylation
• Long non-coding RNA
• Prognostic signature
• Clinicopathological characteristics
• Cox regression