Identification of Cell cycle Gene Signatures Predicting Survival in Patients with Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background:Lung cancer (LC) is one of the most important and common malignant tumors, and its incidence and mortality are increasing annually. Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is the common pathological type of lung cancer. A small part of biomarkers have been confirmed to be related to the prognosis and survival by data excavation. However, the moderate forecast effect of a single gene biomarker is not accurate. Thus, we aimed to identify new gene signatures to better predict Lung squamous cell carcinoma ( LU SC). Methods : Using the mRNA-mining approach, we performed mRNA expression profiling in large lung squamous cell carcinoma cohorts (n= from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene Set Variation Analysis(GSVA) were accomplished, and connections between genes and cell cycle were found in the Cox proportional regression model. Results : We have confirmed a set of four genes (CDKN1A, CHEK2, E2F4 and RAD21) that were importantly associated with overall survival (OS) in the test series. Based on the research of the four-gene signature, the patients in the test series could be divided into high-risk and low-risk teams. Additionally, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the prognostic power of the four-gene signature is independent of the clinical factors. Conclusion : Our study demonstrated the connections between the four-gene signature and cell cycle. Novel insights into the research mechanisms of cell cycle was also revealed regarding the biomarkers of a poor prognosis for lung squamous cell carcinoma patients.