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BMC Cancer

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Endometrial Cancer | Research

Construction of a microenvironment immune gene model for predicting the prognosis of endometrial cancer

Authors: Yichen Wang, Jingkai Zhang, Yijun Zhou, Zhiguang Li, Dekang Lv, Quentin Liu

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Infiltrating immune and stromal cells are important components of the endometrial cancer (EC) microenvironment, which has a significant effect on the biological behavior of EC, suggesting that unique immune-related genes may be associated with the prognosis of EC. However, the association of immune-related genes with the prognosis of EC has not been elucidated. We attempted to identify immune-related genes with potentially prognostic value in EC using The Cancer Genome Atlas database and the relationship between immune microenvironment and EC.

Methods

We analyzed 578 EC samples from TCGA database and used weighted gene co-expression network analysis to screen out immune-related genes. We constructed a protein–protein interaction network and analyzed it using STRING and Cytoscape. Immune-related genes were analyzed through conjoint Cox regression and random forest algorithm analysis were to identify a multi-gene prediction model and stratify low-risk and high-risk groups of EC patients. Based on these data, we constructed a nomogram prediction model to improve prognosis assessment. Evaluation of Immunological, gene mutations and gene enrichment analysis were applied on these groups to quantify additional differences.

Results

Using conjoint Cox regression and random forest algorithm, we found that TRBC2, TRAC, LPXN, and ARHGAP30 were associated with the prognosis of EC and constructed four gene risk models for overall survival and a consistent nomogram. The time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve for 1-, 3-, and 5-y overall survival was 0.687, 0.699, and 0.76, respectively. These results were validated using a validation cohort. Immune-related pathways were mostly enriched in the low-risk group, which had higher levels of immune infiltration and immune status.

Conclusion

Our study provides new insights for novel biomarkers and immunotherapy targets in EC.

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Title: Construction of a microenvironment immune gene model for predicting the prognosis of endometrial cancer
Authors: Yichen Wang
Jingkai Zhang
Yijun Zhou
Zhiguang Li
Dekang Lv
Quentin Liu
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-021-08935-w

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