Individualized prognostic signature for pancreatic carcinoma validated by integrating immune-related gene pairs (IRGPs)

Increasingly attention is being given to immune molecules in pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this study was to understand the potential clinical application of immune-regulated genes (IRGs) in the stratification of prognosis and to facilitate the development of personalized prognostic information for pancreatic cancer patients. We systematically used public data to comprehensively analyze immune-regulated gene pair (IRGP) expression profiles and clinical data. In our study, IRGP signature was identified to predict the overall survival (OS) of pancreatic cancer patients. We suggested that immune genes are enriched in different risk groups. In the high-risk group, M1 macrophages and resting NK cells were significantly enriched, while the percentages of naive B cells, resting dendritic cells, CD8 T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) were significantly higher in the low-risk group, and we verified these results with immunohistochemical experiments. Gene ontology (GO) analysis confirmed that the IRGP index (IRGPI) signature genes in the cohort were mostly party to sensory perception of a chemical stimulus and the adaptive immune response. The identification of these pathways provides a basis for studying the molecular mechanisms of IRGPI signaling to predict the prognosis of pancreatic cancer. Our study effectively constructed a robust IRGP signature with prognostic value for pancreatic cancer, presenting a conceivable method for deciding on a preoperative treatment.

Automated summary

The study explores the potential clinical application of immune-regulated genes (IRGs) in pancreatic cancer prognosis, identifying an immune-regulated gene pair (IRGP) signature that predicts overall survival. Immune genes were found to be enriched in different risk groups, with distinct cell types significantly enriched in high-risk and low-risk groups. Gene ontology analysis revealed the IRGP index (IRGPI) signature genes to be primarily involved in sensory perception of a chemical stimulus and adaptive immune response, providing insights for predicting pancreatic cancer prognosis.