Identification of Tumor Antigens and Immune Subtypes in Lung Adenocarcinoma for mRNA Vaccine Development

Cancer vaccines are emerging as a viable strategy for cancer treatment. In the current study, we screened for genes associated with the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma and positively correlated with antigen-presenting cell infiltration and identified KLRG1 and CBFA2T3 as potential tumor antigens for mRNA vaccines in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Further analyses of immune subtypes revealed that patients with early-stage LUAD, high immune cell infiltration, high immune checkpoint expression, and low tumor mutation burden might benefit from mRNA vaccination. Moreover, we identified four biomarkers that can be used to assess mRNA vaccination suitability. We also identified potentially sensitive anti-cancer drugs for populations not suitable for vaccination by means of anti-cancer drug susceptibility prediction. Overall, we provided a new perspective for mRNA vaccine treatment strategies for LUAD and emphasized the importance of precise and personalized treatments.

Automated summary

This study identified genes associated with the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma patients and positively correlated with antigen-presenting cell infiltration, and identified potential tumor antigens for mRNA vaccines in lung adenocarcinoma. Further analysis revealed that early-stage lung adenocarcinoma patients with high immune cell infiltration, high immune checkpoint expression, and low tumor mutation burden might benefit from mRNA vaccination. Four biomarkers were also identified to assess the suitability of mRNA vaccination.