Integrative analysis disclosing UQCRC1 as a potential prognostic and immunological biomarker of lung adenocarcinoma.

in Pathology, research and practice by Lv Ling, Cong Peng, Sheng Lin, Yuanhang Chen, Min Deng, Huisi Qiu, Yuanfeng Huang

TLDR

  • The study found that ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein 1 (UQCRC1) is a potential biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and may play a role in cancer progression.
  • UQCRC1 was expressed at high levels in several types of cancer, including LUAD, and was associated with poor prognosis in some cases.
  • The study suggests that UQCRC1 could be used as a prognostic marker for LUAD and potentially other types of cancer, and further research is needed to understand its role in cancer progression and potential therapeutic strategies.

Abstract

Lung cancer is one of the most malignant cancers in the world. Approximately 40 % of lung cancer cases are lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Exploring new biomarkers was an urgent need for treatments of LUAD. Here, we aimed to perform a pan-cancer analysis of ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein 1 (UQCRC1) and verify it in LUAD. Compared to normal samples, we observed that UQCRC1 was significantly enhanced in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC), LUAD, liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), and several other cancers. In terms of overall survival, UQCRC1 was positively associated with poor prognosis of LUAD and skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM). Almost more than 8 % deeply deleted frequency of UQCRC1 was showed in lymphoid neoplasm diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBC). In LUAD, SKCM, and a few cancers, UQCRC1 was negatively correlated with the infiltration of B cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts. As regards further mechanism analysis, we found that UQCRC1 modulated cancer progression via mitochondrial related metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation. Taking advantage of the Kras-driven spontaneous LUAD mice model, online single-cell data, and clinical tissues, we particularly confirmed that UQCRC1 was highly expressed in LUAD and acted as a prognostic marker for LUAD. These findings implied that UQCRC1 played an important role in cancers, especially in LUAD.

Overview

  • The study aimed to investigate the role of ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein 1 (UQCRC1) as a biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and its potential implications in cancer progression.
  • The study used a pan-cancer analysis to compare UQCRC1 expression levels in various types of cancer, including LUAD, cervical squamous cell carcinoma, endocervical adenocarcinoma, liver hepatocellular carcinoma, and skin cutaneous melanoma.
  • The study also used a Kras-driven spontaneous LUAD mice model and online single-cell data to validate the findings and confirm UQCRC1's role in LUAD and its potential as a prognostic marker for the disease.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • UQCRC1 was significantly enhanced in several types of cancer, including LUAD, cervical squamous cell carcinoma, endocervical adenocarcinoma, liver hepatocellular carcinoma, and skin cutaneous melanoma.
  • UQCRC1 was positively correlated with poor prognosis in LUAD and skin cutaneous melanoma, but negatively correlated with the infiltration of B cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in LUAD and a few other cancers.
  • Almost 8% of lymphoid neoplasm diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBC) samples showed a deeply deleted frequency of UQCRC1.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study suggests that UQCRC1 could be used as a prognostic marker for LUAD and potentially other types of cancer.
  • Future studies could focus on investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying UQCRC1's role in cancer progression and developing potential therapeutic strategies targeting UQCRC1.
  • The study highlights the importance of considering UQCRC1 as a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis and treatment, particularly in LUAD.
Read Full Article