Establishment of a new prognostic risk model of MAPK pathway-related molecules in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma based on genomes and transcriptomes analysis

PurposeThe mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is often studied in oncology as the most easily mentioned signaling pathway. This study aims to establish a new prognostic risk model of MAPK pathway related molecules in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) based on genome and transcriptome analysis. MethodsIn our study, RNA-seq data were acquired from the KIRC dataset of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. MAPK signaling pathway-related genes were obtained from the gene enrichment analysis (GSEA) database. We used glmnet and the survival extension package for LASSO (Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) regression curve analysis and constructed a prognosis-related risk model. The survival curve and the COX regression analysis were used the survival expansion packages. The ROC curve was plotted using the survival ROC extension package. We then used the rms expansion package to construct a nomogram plot. We performed a pan-cancer analysis of CNV (copy number variation), SNV (single nucleotide variant), drug sensitivity, immune infiltration, and overall survival (OS) of 14 MAPK signaling pathway-related genes using several analysis websites, such as GEPIA website and TIMER database. Besides, the immunohistochemistry and pathway enrichment analysis used The Human Protein Atlas (THPA) database and the GSEA method. Finally, the mRNA expression of risk model genes in clinical renal cancer tissues versus adjacent normal tissues was further verified by real-time quantitative reverse transcription (qRT-PCR). ResultsWe performed Lasso regression analysis using 14 genes and created a new KIRC prognosis-related risk model. High-risk scores suggested that KIRC patients with lower-risk scores had a significantly worse prognosis. Based on the multivariate Cox analysis, we found that the risk score of this model could serve as an independent risk factor for KIRC patients. In addition, we used the THPA database to verify the differential expression of proteins between normal kidney tissues and KIRC tumor tissues. Finally, the results of qRT-PCR experiments suggested large differences in the mRNA expression of risk model genes. ConclusionsThis study constructs a KIRC prognosis prediction model involving 14 MAPK signaling pathway-related genes, which is essential for exploring potential biomarkers for KIRC diagnosis.

Automated summary

This study aims to establish a new prognostic risk model of MAPK pathway related molecules in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) based on genome and transcriptome analysis. The results showed that this model has good predictive value for the prognosis of KIRC patients.