Glioma Subclassifications and Their Clinical Significance

Forkhead Box M1 isoform 3 overexpression is associated with malignancy grade in adult-type diffuse gliomas

BACKGROUND

Forkhead Box M1 is a transcription factor that is overexpressed in both its mRNA and its protein in various types of cancer. The active Forkhead Box M1 isoform 3 (FOXM1*3) is, moreover, associated with cancer progression. However, little is known about the role of this isoform concerning the degree of malignancy in brain gliomas. This study evaluated the association between overexpression of the FOXM1*3 and the degree of malignancy in adult-type diffuse gliomas (ATDGs).

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study involving 81 samples from patients with ATDGs and ten samples from healthy control cortices. Quantification of the FOXM1*3 transcript and the housekeeping gene, importin 8 (IPO8), was performed using qPCR with Taqman probes. Tumor samples were classified based on their degree of malignancy and cell lineage. Progression-free survival (PFS) was observed through long-term follow-up. The data were then analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U and log-rank (Mantel-Cox) tests.

RESULTS

The most frequent type of cell differentiation was astrocytic, with astrocytomas and glioblastomas accounting for 80.2 % of cases. The primary histopathological-molecular diagnosis group was glioblastoma, at 35.8 %. There was a significant difference in FOXM1*3 expression between the control and glioma groups (p < 0.001). Transcript expression showed significant differences among grade-2, -3, and -4 gliomas (p < 0.005-0.0001). Significant differences were also detected between grade-2 and -3 astrocytomas (p < 0.005) and glioblastomas (p < 0.0001), but not between astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas of the same grade.

CONCLUSION

We observed that overexpression of FOXM1*3 can rectify intra-observer discordance in determining the malignancy grade of gliomas, particularly in grade 3. It can be considered a supplementary tool.

Comparative analysis of pyrosequencing and next-generation sequencing for assessing MGMT methylation in glioma patients

BACKGROUND

The methylation status of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene promoter is pivotal in clinical decision-making for glioma patients. Pyrosequencing (PSQ) has been regarded as the gold standard for determining the MGMT promoter status. Nevertheless, PSQ is limited by its low throughput, high costs, and intricate protocols. In this study, we present a comparative analysis of the performance of PSQ and next-generation sequencing (NGS) in evaluating MGMT methylation in glioma patients.

METHODS

Initially, we developed an amplicon-based NGS method for quantifying MGMT methylation. Subsequently, a comparative assessment was carried out to evaluate the MGMT promoter methylation levels in 50 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) glioma samples using both PSQ and NGS. Finally, a consistency analysis was performed to compare the results obtained from PSQ and NGS.

RESULTS

The results revealed a significant correlation between PSQ and NGS (R2 = 0.88). Moreover, the consistency rate of the test results among the 50 samples was 94% (47/50), with one negative sample and two positive samples showing inconsistency. These three samples were verified using MethyLight technology, and the results were consistent with those obtained from NGS.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that, although PSQ is the gold standard, the quantitative detection of MGMT methylation by NGS is more accurate than that by PSQ. NGS is characterized by high throughput and cost-effectiveness, while also yielding accurate and stable results. Therefore, NGS provides a viable alternative to the PSQ method for detecting MGMT methylation.

KLF11/TMEM87B promoted the occurrence of glioma and decreased TMZ sensitivity

Whether KLF11 functions as a tumor promoter or inhibitor depends on the type of tumor. Our previous reports revealed the oncogenic role of KLF11 in glioma. In this study, TMEM87B was identified as a downstream gene of KLF11 through ChIP-seq assay, and the binding of KLF11 to the promoter area of TMEM87B was demonstrated using luciferase assay. KLF11 positively regulated the expression of TMEM87B mRNA and protein in glioma cell lines. Furthermore. TMEM87B was highly expressed in glioma samples, which indicated a poor prognosis in glioma patients. The elimination of TMEM87B reduced the proliferation and migration cell viability, along with the formation of tumor spheroids, while increasing TMZ sensitivity, whereas the overexpression of TMEM87B had the opposite effect. Furthermore, both the knockdown of TMEM87B and TMZ treatment could retard tumor growth in xenograft mice, and their combination significantly reduced tumor size and weight. Our findings identified the effects of the KLF11/ TMEM87B axis on glioma progression and TMZ sensitivity, which could provide new targets for glioma therapy.

Vincristine exerts antiglioma effects by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway: A mechanistic study based on network pharmacology, bioinformatics analysis, and experimental validation

In clinical settings, glioma patients often develop secondary resistance to first-line chemotherapy drugs. Vincristine has been reported for its application in cancer chemotherapy, but its molecular mechanism of action remains unclear. This study aimed to identify potential targets of vincristine in glioma using network pharmacology and to experimentally validate the possible molecular mechanisms against glioma. First, the potential targets of vincristine were predicted using CTD, SwissTargetPrediction, and TargetNet databases. Differential expression analysis and WGCNA algorithm were employed on glioma data from the GEO database to obtain important glioma-related target genes, which were then used to identify the anti-glioma targets of vincristine. The intersecting targets were input into the String database to construct a PPI network, and core targets were identified using the cytohubba plugin in Cytoscape. GO and KEGG analyses were conducted to investigate the functional and pathway enrichment of the intersecting targets. The expression and prognostic significance of the core targets were validated using data from the TCGA and HPA databases. Finally, the anti-glioma proliferation effect of vincristine was validated through CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting. A total of 175 vincristine targets and 1673 glioma targets were identified, with 11 shared targets between vincristine and glioma tissues. Network pharmacology studies suggested that CDC25B, CDK4, CDK6, TOP2A, and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway might be important core targets and pathways through which vincristine exerts its anti-glioma effects. In vitro experiments confirmed that vincristine successfully inhibited U87 cell proliferation and induced G1 phase arrest via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby reducing cell growth. The study results indicate that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway may be involved in the mechanism by which vincristine inhibits the proliferation of glioma cells.

Assessing Ecto-5'-Nucleotidase/CD73 Expression and Malignancy Parameters in Early- and Late- Passage C6 Glioma Cells

Glioblastoma (GB) is a highly aggressive tumor characterized by its proliferative and invasive behavior. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase (e5NT/CD73), an enzyme that hydrolyzes extracellular AMP to adenosine, plays a pivotal role in cellular processes and has been involved in tumor progression, with its upregulation observed in several cancers. C6 glioma cells, widely used in GB research, exhibit changes in morphology and biochemical properties, depending on their passage number. This study investigates malignancy-related parameters in early-passage (EPC6) and late-passage (LPC6) C6 cells, highlighting the e5NT/CD73 expression and activity. The results presented here demonstrate that the LPC6 cells showed reduced CD73 expression and lower e5NT/CD73 AMPase activity compared to the EPC6 cells. Despite a higher proliferation rate in the LPC6 cells after two days of growth, Ki67 expression analysis revealed comparable proliferation between the two cell types at 5 and 10 days. Notably, the EPC6 cells showed enhanced proliferation in response to exogenous AMP, whereas the LPC6 cells did not. Furthermore, the EPC6 cells exhibited decreased adhesion but greater colony formation than the LPC6 cells. The LPC6 cells showed a significant reduction in migration, likely due to the loss of e5NT/CD73 migratory function. In the in vivo results, all the rats injected with EPC6 cells developed tumors displaying all the histopathological features of GB, whereas the LPC6 cells formed smaller tumors. Confirming the role performed by e5NT/CD73 in glioma progression, protein silencing significantly reduced tumor growth in vivo. These findings underscore the critical role of purinergic signalling in GB progression and emphasize the need for careful monitoring of passage number and e5NT/CD73 in in vitro experiments.

Aberrant expression of CNTRL was associated with poor prognosis, immune response and progression in glioma

This study investigated the biological functions and prognostic significance of centromere protein L (CNTRL) in glioma. mRNA expression data and clinical information were obtained from TCGA, CGGA, and an independent cohort of 207 glioma patients. CNTRL expression levels were quantified using qRT-PCR. Functional analyses, including Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment, were conducted to elucidate the biological roles of CNTRL. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression analyses were applied to evaluate its association with overall survival, and a nomogram was constructed to predict individual survival. Additionally, the tumor microenvironment and immune cell infiltration were analyzed. Glioma cell lines were transfected with CNTRL-targeting shRNA to explore its functional role in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, utilizing CCK-8, colony formation, scratchy and Transwell assays. The results revealed that CNTRL is ubiquitously expressed in brain tissues and is significantly upregulated in glioma. Higher CNTRL expression was positively correlated with increased tumor grade and were associated with poor prognosis in glioma patients. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses identified CNTRL as an independent prognostic factor for glioma survival. The nomogram model integrating CNTRL expression and clinical parameters demonstrated robust predictive performance for patient survival. Functional enrichment analyses suggested that CNTRL is involved in key cellular processes such as cell cycle, DNA repair, and chromatin remodeling. CNTRL expression was positively associated with enhanced immune cell infiltration and activation within the tumor microenvironment, as well as with the expression of immune checkpoint molecules, implicating its potential role in immune evasion mechanisms. In vitro, CNTRL knockdown significantly inhibited glioma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Notably, suppression of CNTRL led to reduced expression of the cell cycle regulator WEE1 in glioma cells. This study provides comprehensive evidence that CNTRL contributes to glioma progression by regulating the cell cycle and immune-related processes. Targeting CNTRL could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for glioma. These findings underscore the potential of CNTRL as a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target in glioma management.

Modulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by resveratrol in cancer: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic opportunity

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway is a critical intracellular signaling pathway that is pivotal in various cellular functions. It is in senescence, survival, and growth under normal physiological and pathological conditions, including neoplasms. Additionally, this pathway has been recognized as essential for the regulation of the cell cycle. Several previous studies have indicated that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway can be influenced by various natural products, with resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) being a particularly important phytoalexin polyphenol in this context. This review explores the impact of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway on the initiation and advancement of various cancerous conditions and the potential of resveratrol to target this signaling mechanism. The review begins by summarizing the anti-tumor capabilities of resveratrol and then emphasizes the significant role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the progression of multiple malignancies. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic effects of resveratrol on human neoplasms, from brain cancers to gastrointestinal malignancies, through regulation of this signaling cascade.

The therapeutic effect of mRNA vaccines in glioma: a comprehensive review

INTRODUCTION

Glioma is the most common primary brain tumor, with glioblastoma being the most lethal type due to its heterogeneous and invasive nature of the cancer. Current therapies have low curative success and are limited to surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. More than 50% of patients become resistant to chemotherapy, and tumor recurrence occurs in most patients following an initial course of therapy. Therefore, developing novel, effective strategies for glioma treatment is essential. Cancer vaccines are novel therapies that demonstrate advantages over conventional methods and, therefore, may be promising options for treating glioma.

AREAS COVERED

This article provided a critical review of pre-clinical and clinical studies that explored appropriate tumor antigen candidates for developing mRNA vaccines and discussed their clinical application in glioma patients. Medline database, PubMed, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for glioma vaccine studies published before 2025 using related keywords.

EXPERT OPINION

mRNA vaccines are promising strategies for treating glioma because they are efficient, cost-beneficial, and have lower side effects than other types such as peptide or DNA-based vaccines.

Key genes altered in glioblastoma based on bioinformatics (Review)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with poor prognosis. Recent advancements in bioinformatics have contributed to uncovering the genetic alterations that underlie the development and progression of GBM. Analysis of extensive genomic data led to the identification of significant pathways involved in GBM, such as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathways, alongside key genes such as EGFR, TP53 and TERT. These findings have enhanced our understanding of GBM biology and led to the identification of new therapeutic targets. Bioinformatics has become an indispensable tool in pinpointing the genetic modifications that drive GBM, paving the way for innovative treatment strategies. This approach not only aids in comprehending the complexities of GBM but also holds promise for improving outcomes in patients suffering from this devastating disease. The ongoing integration of bioinformatics in GBM research continues to be vital for advancing therapeutic options.

ARMC10 Drives Glioblastoma Progression Through Activating Notch Pathway

This study aimed to check the biological functions and uncover the mechanism of armadillo repeat protein C10 (ARMC10) in glioblastoma (GBM). The expression and potential mechanisms of ARMC10 in GBM were analyzed by bioinformatics analysis. In GBM cells, function-loss experiments were used to evaluate the influences of ARMC10 on cell proliferation, cell invasion, lipid levels, and cell migration by colony formation assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine staining, cell counting kit-8 assay, transwell assay, BODIPY staining, and wound healing assay. Mouse xenograft models were constructed to validate the influences of ARMC10 in vivo. ARMC10 levels in GBM were upregulated, and patients with low ARMC10 levels displayed a better prognosis. ARMC10 knockdown resulted in a decrease of GBM cell invasion, migration, and proliferation. GSEA showed that ARMC10 was positively associated with the Notch pathway and fatty acid metabolism. ARMC10 knockdown reduced the levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, and lipid, and inhibited the expression of proteins related to fatty acid metabolism and Notch pathway. Moreover, notch receptor 1 (Notch1) overexpression reversed the inhibition of cell proliferation, fatty acid metabolism, and invasion induced by ARMC10 knockdown. In vivo, ARMC10 knockdown suppressed tumor growth. RMC10 knockdown suppressed GBM malignant progression, which had a bearing on Notch pathway.

Single-cell RNA sequencing for characterizing the immune communication and iron metabolism roles in CD31+ glioma cells

Background

Gliomas are aggressive brain tumors marked by complex cellular interactions and significant immune cell infiltration. This study investigated the role of CD31+ immune cells, specifically macrophages and T cells, in the glioma microenvironment through single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).

Methods

We employed the CellChat framework to map cell-cell communication pathways and used Monocle3 for pseudotime trajectory analysis to characterize the signaling and developmental progressions within CD31+ cells. Pathways such as osteopontin (SPP1) and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) were analyzed in terms of their role in immune regulation, and we examined the expression of ferritin, an iron-binding protein, to assess its potential function in modulating CD31+ cell activity.

Results

Our findings highlight the expression of key pathways, including SPP1 and MHC-II, influencing immune regulation. Ferritin was found to be highly expressed in CD31+ cells, suggesting a dual role in iron metabolism and immune modulation within the glioma microenvironment.

Conclusions

This study clarified the distinct roles of CD31+ immune cells in glioma progression and identified ferritin as a potential therapeutic target for modulating immune responses in gliomas. These findings may offer new directions in glioma research and the development of immunotherapy, which can aid in improving treatment outcomes.

A novel variant of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) associated with risk of glioma in a Korean population

Among central nervous system (CNS) tumors, gliomas are the most prevalent type of tumor. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene have been identified as risk loci for gliomas by previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We examined association between TERT variants and glioma risk in a Korean population. For a case-control study, a total of 32 TERT SNPs from 317 patients with glioma and 480 population-based controls were genotyped. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis of the link between TERT SNPs and risk of glioma. In this study, eight TERT variants, including four glioma-associated variants reported in previous studies, showed significant association with the risk of glioma. Conditional and stepwise analyses were conducted to validate independent associations in the group of the eight variants. Both analyses identified an intronic variant (rs56345976) as the causal variant among the eight variants. Glioma subgroup analyses indicate that rs56345976 variant is associated with the risk of WHO grade 4, glioblastoma, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type, and 1p/19q non-codeletion glioma. This study presents a profound comprehension of the relationship between TERT variants and the risk of glioma. Further studies of this variant are required to investigate its effect on glioma susceptibility.

The m6A modification of LncRNA LINC00200 regulated by WTAP accelerates glioma tumorigenesis by regulating Wnt/β-catenin pathway

BACKGROUND

Several studies have delineated that dysregulated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators participate in glioma progression. The objective of this study is to investigate the mechanism of Wilms' tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP)-mediated m6A modification of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00200 in glioma.

METHODS

The LINC00200 expression in glioma was analyzed by qRT-PCR. The expressions of WTAP and Wnt/β-catenin pathway associated proteins were determined via qRT-PCR or western blotting. The levels of WTAP-mediated m6A modification of LINC00200 was ascertained by MeRIP-qPCR. Functionally, the effects of LINC00200 knockdown and the interaction of WTAP with LINC00200 on the glioma cell characteristics were examined by CCK8, colony formation, and transwell migration/invasion assays. In vivo experiments were performed to verify the effect of LINC00200 on tumor growth.

RESULTS

LINC00200 was overexpressed in glioma, and high LINC00200 level was related to higher-grade tumor. Moreover, its knockdown inhibited the malignant properties and expression of molecules related to Wnt/β-catenin pathway in glioma cell lines. In vivo, LINC00200 knockdown attenuated tumor growth. WTAP was also overexpressed in glioma tissues and demonstrated a positive association with LINC00200 expression. Furthermore, the relative enrichment of LINC00200 m6A was enhanced/reduced in a WTAP-dependent manner. Meanwhile, silencing LINC00200 partially reversed the malignant effects of WTAP overexpression in glioma.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that WTAP-mediated m6A modification of LINC00200 promotes glioma progression by modulating Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Deciphering Metabolic Alterations Associated with Glioma Grading Using Hyperspectral Stimulated Raman Scattering Imaging

Metabolic dysregulation is a critical feature of various cancers, including brain tumors. Studying metabolic changes in tumor cells and tissues significantly improves our understanding of tumor development, progression, and treatment response. In this study, we utilize hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) imaging combined with biochemical spectral modeling to identify unique histological and molecular signatures linked to metabolic diversity across different glioma grades, without the need for labeling. By employing rapid label-free SRS histopathology and multivariate curve resolution analysis, we uncover changes in lipid profiles and varying levels of neuron demyelination from low-grade (LG) to high-grade (HG) gliomas. Quantitative analysis of key metabolites using non-negative least-squares regression spectral modeling reveals a significant increase in cellular proteins, DNA, and cholesterol levels, alongside a reduced redox ratio (flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)/NADH) in the glioblastoma (GBM, grade IV) tissue compared to pilocytic astrocytoma (PA, grade I) and healthy brain tissues, indicating a shift toward a pro-malignant metabolic state. A neural network diagnostic classifier, trained on 4547 SRS spectra (healthy: 1263; LG: 815; HG: 2469) from 45 patients with PA and GBM, achieves 99.6% accuracy in detecting and grading brain tumors. This study highlights the potential of hyperspectral SRS imaging for rapid, label-free, and spatially resolved analysis of metabolic heterogeneity in human gliomas, paving the way for metabolome-targeted therapeutic strategies in precision brain tumor treatment.

Nanofibers in Glioma Therapy: Advances, Applications, and Overcoming Challenges

Despite relentless effort to study glioma treatment, the prognosis for glioma patients remains poor. The main obstacles include the high rate of recurrence and the difficulty of passing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for therapeutic drugs. Nanomaterials owing to their special physicochemical properties have been used in a wide range of fields thus far. The nanodrug delivery system (NDDS) with the ability of crossing the BBB, targeting glioma site, maintaining drug stability and controlling drug release, has significantly enhanced the anti-tumor therapeutic effect, improving the prognosis of glioma patients. Aligned nanofibers (NFs) are ideal materials to establish in vitro models of glioma microenvironment (GME), enabling the exploration of the mechanism of glioma cell migration and invasion to discover novel therapeutic targets. Moreover, NFs are now widely used in glioma applications such as radiotherapy, phototherapy, thermotherapy and immunotherapy. Despite the absolute dominance of NFs in anti-glioma applications, there are still some problems such as the further optimization of NDDS, and the impact of interactions between nanofibers and the protein corona (PC) on glioma therapy. This paper will shed light on the latest glioma applications of NFs in drug delivery systems and mimicking the tumor microenvironment (TME), and discuss how to further optimize the NDDS and eliminate or utilize the nanomedicine-PC interactions.

Integrative analysis of mitochondrial-related gene profiling identifies prognostic clusters and drug resistance mechanisms in low-grade glioma

Mitochondrial dysfunction has emerged as a critical factor in the progression and prognosis of low-grade glioma (LGG). In this study, we explored the role of mitochondrial-related genes through consensus clustering analysis using multi-omics data from the TCGA, CGGA, and other independent datasets. Patients were categorized into three clusters (Cluster A, B, and C), with Cluster B consistently associated with poorer prognosis. Mutation landscape analysis revealed distinct genetic alterations and copy number variations among clusters, particularly in Cluster B, which exhibited unique genetic signatures. Immune infiltration analysis showed that Cluster B had higher expression levels of immune checkpoint genes, stronger immune evasion activity, and greater immune cell infiltration, suggesting an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, we identified mitochondrial-related prognostic markers and developed a MITscore based on gene expression patterns, which stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups. High MITscore groups displayed stronger stemness characteristics, poorer survival outcomes, and differential responses to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Cross-validation with drug sensitivity and immunotherapy cohorts indicated that high MITscore patients were more sensitive to certain chemotherapeutic agents and responded better to immunotherapy. Finally, using the SRGA method, we identified novel biomarkers (KDR, LRRK2, SQSTM1) closely associated with mitochondrial function, which may serve as potential targets for therapeutic intervention. These findings highlight the critical role of mitochondrial dysfunction in LGG prognosis, tumor microenvironment regulation, and treatment response, providing new avenues for precision oncology.

Integration of Single-Cell and Bulk RNA-seq Data to Identify the Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Subtypes and Risk Model in Glioma

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are an important component of the stroma. Studies showed that CAFs were pivotally in glioma progression which have long been considered a promising therapeutic target. Therefore, the identification of prognostic CAF markers might facilitate the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. A total of 1333 glioma samples were obtained from the TCGA and CGGA datasets. The EPIC, MCP-counter, and xCell algorithms were used to evaluate the relative proportion of CAFs in glioma. CAF markers were identified by the single-cell RNA-seq datasets (GSE141383) from the Tumor Immune Single-Cell Hub database. Unsupervised consensus clustering was used to divide the glioma patients into different distinct subgroups. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model was utilized to establish a CAF-related signature (CRS). Finally, the prognostic CAF markers were further validated in clinical specimens by RT‒qPCR. Combined single-cell RNA-seq analysis and differential expression analysis of samples with high and low proportions of CAFs revealed 23 prognostic CAF markers. By using unsupervised consensus clustering, glioma patients were divided into two distinct subtypes. Subsequently, based on 18 differentially expressed prognostic CAF markers between the two CAF subtypes, we developed and validated a new CRS model (including PCOLCE, TIMP1, and CLIC1). The nomogram and calibration curves indicated that the CRS was an accurate prognostic marker for glioma. In addition, patients in the high-CRS score group had higher immune infiltration and tumor mutation burden levels. Moreover, the CRS score had the potential to predict the response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy and chemotherapy. Finally, the expression profiles of three CAF markers were verified by RT‒qPCR. In general, our study classified glioma patients into distinct subgroups based on CAF markers, which will facilitate the development of individualized therapy. We also provided insights into the role of the CRS in predicting the response to ICB and chemotherapy in glioma patients.

Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor Targeting PET/CT With 68 Ga-NOTA-RM26 in the Assessment of Glioma and Combined Multiregional Biopsies

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the value of 68 Ga-NOTA-RM26 ( 68 Ga-RM26), a gastrin-releasing peptide receptor-targeting antagonist labeled with the radionuclide 68 Ga, in the diagnosis of high-grade gliomas and in combination with multiregional biopsies using PET/CT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

After institutional review board approval and informed consent, a total of 35 patients with suspected glioma lesions were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent 68 Ga-RM26 PET/CT scans within 2 weeks before surgery.

RESULTS

There were 8 grade II gliomas, 6 grade III gliomas, and 18 grade IV gliomas in a total of 32 glioma lesions. 68 Ga-RM26 PET/CT diagnosed 74.4% of lesions (27/32) of all glioma tumor types, and almost all high-grade gliomas were successfully diagnosed (23/24, 95.8%). Among the 9 negative glioma lesions, there were 8 low-grade gliomas (grade II). There was a significantly higher SUV max , SUV mean , and the lesion-to-background ratio (T/B ratio) in high-grade gliomas compared with low-grade gliomas ( P < 0.001). In addition, there was a high correlation between the immunohistochemical staining score of gliomas and parameters (SUV max , SUV mean , and T/B ratio) on 68 Ga-RM26 PET/CT ( P < 0.001), and verified by immunohistochemical staining on multiple-point samples of glioma lesions guided by 68 Ga-RM26 PET/CT.

CONCLUSIONS

68 Ga-RM26 could noninvasively diagnose high-grade gliomas and be a promising PET tracer for predicting glioma grading before surgery. This pilot study indicated that the uptake of 68 Ga-RM26 correlates with WHO grade in glioma, and preoperative 68 Ga-RM26 PET/CT may be helpful to guide multiple-point biopsy of gliomas.

Deep learning radiomics nomograms predict Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) genotypes in brain glioma: A multicenter study

PURPOSE

To explore the feasibility of Deep learning radiomics nomograms (DLRN) in predicting IDH genotype.

METHODS

A total of 402 glioma patients from two independent centers were retrospectively included, and the data from center I was randomly divided into a training cohort (n = 239) and an internal validation cohort (n = 103) on a 7:3 basis. Center II served as an independent external validation cohort (n = 60). We developed a DLRN for IDH classification of gliomas based on T2 images. This hybrid model integrates deep learning features, radiomics features, and clinical features most relevant to IDH genotypes and finally classifies them using multivariate logistic regression analysis. We used the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) to evaluate the performance of the model and applied the DLRN score to the survival analysis of some of the follow-up glioma patients.

RESULTS

The proposed model had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.98 in an externally validated cohort, and DLRN scores were significantly associated with the overall survival of glioma patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Deep learning radiomics nomograms performed well in non-invasively predicting IDH mutation status in gliomas, assisting stratified management and targeted therapy for glioma patients.

Bioinformatics analysis to identify key invasion related genes and construct a prognostic model for glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and lethal brain tumor with limited therapeutic strategies and incomplete studies on its progression and mechanisms. This study aims to reveal potential prognostic marker genes associated with GBM cell invasion, and establish an effective prognostic model for GBM patients. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA), differentially invasive-related genes was obtained, qRT-PCR was used to verify gene expression. The risk scores of individual patients, univariate and multivariate Cox regression were analyzed to investigate the correlation between risk values and glioblastoma, Finally, the risk scores with the prognostic clinical characteristics of the patients, such as PFS, OS were used to build a comprehensive GBM prognostic model. Five DEGs (GZMB, COL22A1, MSTN, CRYGN and OSMR) were significantly associated with GBM prognosis. Pseudotemporal analysis, risk scores (PFS, OS) based on tumor cells revealed that prognostic genes were associated with tumor proliferation and progression. The final prognostic model was developed and validated with good performance with higher accuracy(C-index: 0.675), and it was found that the risk value can serve as an independent prognostic factor for patients with glioblastoma (p < 0.05). We constructed a comprehensive prognostic model related to invasion in GBM patients using genetic profiles, survival curves, immune infiltration, and radiotherapy face susceptibility. The model has good predictive ability.

TMEM71 is crucial for cell proliferation in lower-grade glioma and is linked to unfavorable prognosis

OBJECTIVE

Transmembrane protein 71 (TMEM71) is implicated in multiple cellular physiological functions and has been demonstrated to be crucial in the advancement of different cancerous growths. However, its specific function in low-grade glioma (LGG) remains unclear.

METHODS

We examined the expression patterns and prognostic importance of TMEM71 in various types of cancer by using pan-cancer analysis. The analyses of the correlations between TMEM71 expression and clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, biological functions, immune characteristics, and genomic variations in LGG were conducted based on its expression patterns. Finally, the expression level and biological function of TMEM71 in LGG were verified by executing in vitro studies.

RESULTS

Abnormal elevation of TMEM71 expression level was associated with poor prognosis of many tumors including LGG. Both multivariate and univariate Cox regression analyses indicated that the expression of TMEM71 served as a standalone prognostic biomarker for LGG. The levels of TMEM71 expression were associated with immune-related characteristics, infiltration of immune cells, immune checkpoint genes (ICPGs) expression, and tumor mutation burden (TMB) in patients with LGG. In laboratory studies, elevated levels of TMEM71 were found to be involved in activating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, promoting CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein D (CEBPD) expression, and ultimately affecting the growth and motility of LGG cells.

CONCLUSION

TMEM71 is an independent prognostic indicator for LGG and is strongly associated with the growth of LGG cells, positioning it as a potential novel target for treatment.

Adverse event profile of lomustine and temozolomide: a descriptive analysis from WHO-VigiAccess

Introduction

In gliomas, various oncogenic factors can lead to an imbalance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. Lomustine inhibits tumor cell growth by disrupting DNA replication and repair mechanisms. In contrast, temozolomide, an imidazole tetrazine compound, promotes cell apoptosis through DNA alkylation. The present study aimed to systematically analyze and compare the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with lomustine and temozolomide, as reported in the World Health Organization (WHO) VigiAcess database.

Methods

Utilizing a retrospective descriptive analysis design, this study focused on two commercially available anti-glioma drugs. ADR reports pertaining to these medications were collected from the WHO-VigiAccess database. The data collection process involved gathering detailed information on various parameters, including age groups, gender, and geographical distribution of patients involved in the ADR reports. Additionally, the study examined the disease systems and symptoms reported alongside the adverse reactions, as recorded in the annual ADR summaries generated by the WHO. By calculating the proportion of adverse events reported for each drug, this investigation provided a comparative analysis of both the similarities and differences in the adverse reactions observed across the two anti-glioma drugs.

Results

At the time of the search, a total of 22,854 adverse events (AEs) associated with the two anti-glioma drugs were documented in the VigiAccess database. Lomustine exhibits a higher reporting rate concerning blood and lymphatic system disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and hepatobiliary disorders. In contrast, Temozolomide has a higher reporting rate for general disorders and administration site conditions, nervous system disorders, and skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders. The top five types of AEs for anti-glioma drugs are as follows: general disorders and administration site conditions (8,825 cases, 38.61%), blood and lymphatic system disorders (7,369 cases, 32.24%), gastrointestinal disorders (5,614 cases, 24.56%), nervous system disorders (5,047 cases, 22.08%), and investigations (4,855 cases, 21.24%).

Conclusion

The present comparative observational study indicates that these inhibitors are associated with both common and specific adverse reactions, as documented in ADR reports. Clinicians should formulate individualized treatment plans that consider the adverse reactions linked to various drugs and the specific conditions of each patient, thereby promoting the rational use of these costly medications.

Unraveling the mechanisms of glioblastoma's resistance: investigating the influence of tumor suppressor p53 and non-coding RNAs

Glioblastoma (GB) is one of the most fatal CNS malignancies, and its high resistance to therapy and poor outcomes have made it one of the primary challenges in oncology. Resistance to standard therapy, i.e., radio-chemotherapy with temozolomide, is one of the principal causes of the poor prognostic outcomes of GB. Finding the molecular basis of GB resistance to therapy is key to creating effective solution approaches. The general problem of GB resistance is supervised by cancer suppressive protein, p53, and has become a very special interest in molecular research in recent decades. The principal aim of this manuscript is to perform a comprehensive survey on the complex network of interactions developed by p53 with non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) in the context of GB resistance. The present article details the functional aspects of p53 as a cellular stress response protein, including its roles in apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and DNA repair in glioblastoma (GB), along with the disruption of p53 and its involvement in chemoresistance (CR). It also highlights several classes of ncRNAs, namely microRNAs, long ncRNAs, and circular RNAs, that manipulate p53 signaling in GB-CR. The article likewise explains how disruption in the expression of these ncRNAs can promote GB-CR and how it interacts with essential cellular functions, such as proliferation, apoptosis, and DNA repair. The manuscript also describes the potential of targeting p53 and ncRNAs with their diagnostic and prognostic potential as novel promising therapeutics for GB. Nevertheless, ncRNA-based biomarkers still present challenges for their suitability in GB resistance. However, modern research continues to discover novel prediction targets, potentially enhancing patient outcomes and therapeutic options. Therefore, the neutralization of this intricate regulatory network of GB resistance might have a primary clinical effect in fighting GB resistance therapy and thus might lead to a substantial increase in patient survival and quality of life.

Exploring the regulatory role of CNPY3 as a prognostic biomarker on human glioma cell migration, invasion and immune infiltration

BackgroundCanopy FGF signalling regulator 3 (CNPY3) is involved in immune regulation, tumorigenesis and development, nevertheless, its role in glioma remains largely unexplored. Our study aimed to explore the regulatory role of CNPY3 as a prognostic biomarker in human glioma cell migration, invasion and immune infiltration.MethodsBioinformatics analysis of CNPY3 and clinical relevance of glioma in public databases was performed. COX regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between CNPY3 and glioma prognosis. GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were conducted to predict the signaling pathways of CNPY3 in gliomas. Tumor immune infiltration was explored using TIMER, CIBERSORT, and Pearson correlation analysis. GSVA analysis and single-cell sequencing data were employed for further validation. The effects of CNPY3 on the migration and invasion of glioma cells were investigated through cell scratch assay and transwell assay.ResultsCNPY3 was positively correlated with IDH mutation status, 1p/19q status, histopathologic grade, and MGMT promoter methylation status, but negatively with the overall survival of glioma patients (P < 0.05). CNPY3 was significantly associated with tumor immune response, inflammatory response, and lipopolysaccharide-mediated signaling pathway. CNPY3 influenced different types of immune cells which affected the immune microenvironment of glioma. CNPY3 promoted the increase of M2 macrophage and was negatively correlated with the positive regulation of macrophages apoptotic process. In vitro data suggested the promotion of CNPY3 in U87MG cells was associated with an increased capacity for cell migration and invasion (P < 0.05). Tumor drug sensitivity analysis showed more sensitivity towards temozolomide, irinotecan, and cisplatin among high CNPY3 expression patients (P < 0.05).ConclusionIncreased CNPY3 expression impacts the immune microenvironment of glioma and enhances the migration and invasion of glioma. CNPY3 is recommended as a prognostic biomarker for glioma patients.

CD47 Knock-Out Using CRISPR-Cas9 RNA Lipid Nanocarriers Results in Reduced Mesenchymal Glioblastoma Growth In Vivo

Immune checkpoint (ICP) blockade has shown limited effectiveness in glioblastoma (GBM), particularly in the mesenchymal subtype, where interactions between immune cells and glioblastoma cancer stem cells (GSCs) drive immunosuppression and therapy resistance. Tailoring ICPs specific to GSCs can enhance the antitumor immune response. This study proposes the use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) encapsulating CRISPR RNAs as an in vivo screening tool for ICPs in a syngeneic model of mesenchymal GSCs. Using PD-L1 and CD47 to validate the proof of concept, intratumoral administration of LNPs in orthotopic tumors achieved efficient editing of ICPs, leading to enhanced immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment. Targeting CD47 reduced tumor growth, suggesting improved cancer cell sensitization to the immune system post-ICP editing. The study positions LNPs as a robust tool for in vivo validation of ICPs as therapeutic targets in clinically relevant GBM models. LNPs could serve as a screening tool in patient-derived xenografts to identify and optimize ICP combinations, potentially expediting ICP translation and enhancing personalized GBM immunotherapies.

Green chemistry: Modern therapies using nanocarriers for treating rare brain cancer metastasis from colon cancer

Brain metastasis (BM) from colon cancer is associated with a poor prognosis and restricted treatment alternatives, largely due to issues related to blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and the negative effects of standard chemotherapy. Nanotechnology improves treatment efficacy by enabling targeted and controlled drug delivery. This review article evaluates the potential of nanotechnology-based therapies for treating colon cancer BM, emphasizing their capacity to cross the BBB, diminish metastatic growth, and enhance overall survival rates. A review of multiple studies evaluated nanoparticles (NPs) as carriers for chemotherapy, focusing on parameters including particle size, surface charge, and drug-loading capacity. The study also reviewed studies that examined BBB penetration, in vitro tumor accumulation, and in vivo tumor growth inhibition. In vitro findings indicated that NPs accumulate more efficiently in BM tissue than in healthy brain tissue and show significant BBB penetration. In vivo, nanotherapy markedly inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival relative to conventional chemotherapy or control treatments while also exhibiting reduced side effects. Recent studies demonstrated that plant extracts can effectively and safely synthesize nanomaterials, positioning them as a viable and environmentally friendly precursor for nanomaterial production. Nanotechnology-based therapies demonstrate significant potential in the treatment of colon cancer BM by minimizing systemic toxicity, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and facilitating more targeted drug delivery. Further research is required to confirm these findings and implement them in clinical practice.

Low-grade gliomas presenting with hemorrhage: Are intratumoral blood products associated with malignant transformation?

OBJECTIVE

Gliomas are the most common primary tumor in the central nervous system (CNS), with low-grade gliomas (LGG) comprising more than 5 percent of all adult primary CNS tumors. While glioblastoma, the most malignant glioma subtype, is known to present with hemorrhage, LGGs rarely present with hemorrhage. This systematic review investigates LGGs that present as hemorrhage and provides an illustrative case presentation in order to evaluate trends and outcomes for this pathology.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed to evaluate presentation, treatment, and outcomes for patients with LGG that present as intracranial hemorrhage. Articles included were case series describing surgical approach; literature reviews were excluded. Variables evaluated included presenting symptoms, imaging results, and postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

The initial screen yielded 1373 articles. Fourteen articles, published between 1977 and 2023, met inclusion criteria. Sixteen (16) patients were identified with LGG that presented initially as hemorrhage. The most common tumors were pilocytic astrocytoma (6/16), subependymoma (4/16), and ependymoma (2/16). The most common presenting symptoms were headaches (9/11) and impaired consciousness (9/11). Eleven patients underwent gross total resection of the tumor, while four patients received partial resection. Outcomes included two mortalities and one recurrence after six months; the thirteen remaining patients had no recurrence at final reported follow-up.

CONCLUSION

LGGs presenting with hemorrhage are associated with more severe initial symptoms. Though very uncommon, it is imperative to recognize the possibility of an underlying low-grade neoplasm in the setting of hemorrhage. Such early identification can lead to expeditious surgical intervention which can alleviate symptoms, lead to diagnosis, and ultimately trigger adjuvant treatment that has the potential to prolong survival. Continued research on the underlying pathophysiology of these hemorrhagic low-grade tumors is needed to further stratify risk in these populations.

Development and Validation of a Non-Invasive Prediction Model for Glioma-Associated Epilepsy: A Comparative Analysis of Nomogram and Decision Tree

Objective

Glioma-associated epilepsy (GAE) is a common neurological symptom in glioma patients, which can worsen the condition and increase the risk of death on the basis of primary injury. Given this, accurate prediction of GAE is crucial, and this study aims to develop and validate a GAE warning recognition prediction model.

Methods

We retrospectively collected MRI scan imaging data and urine samples from 566 glioma patients at the Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science from August 2016 to December 2023. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis are used to determine independent risk factors for GAE. The nomogram and decision tree GAE visualization prediction model were constructed based on independent risk factors. The discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness of GAE prediction models were evaluated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively.

Results

In the training and validation datasets, the incidence of GAE was 34.50% and 33.00%, respectively. Nomogram and decision tree were composed of five independent radiomic predictors and three differential protein molecules derived from urine. The discrimination rate of area under the curve (AUC) was 0.897 (95% CI: 0.840-0.954), slightly decreased in the validation data set, reaching 0.874 (95% CI: 8.817-0.931). The calibration curve showed a high degree of consistency between the predicted GAE probability and the actual probability. In addition, DCA analysis showed that in machine learning prediction models, decision trees have higher overall net returns within the threshold probability range.

Conclusion

We have introduced a machine learning prediction model for GAE detection in glioma patients based on multiomics data. This model can improve the prognosis of GAE by providing early warnings and actionable feedback and prevent or reduce pathological damage and neurobiochemical changes by implementing early interventions.

Extracellular vesicles as drug and gene delivery vehicles in central nervous system diseases

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted by almost all cell types and contain DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids and other metabolites. EVs were initially believed to be cellular waste but now recognized for their role in cell-to-cell communication. Later, EVs from immune cells were discovered to function similarly to their parent cells, paving the way for their use as gene and drug carriers. EVs from different cell types or biological fluids carry distinct cargo depending on their origin, and they perform diverse functions. For instance, EVs derived from stem cells possess pluripotent properties, reflecting the cargo from their parent cells. Over the past two decades, substantial preclinical and clinical research has explored EVs-mediated drug and gene delivery to various organs, including the brain. Natural or intrinsic EVs may be effective for certain applications, but as drug or gene carriers, they demonstrate broader and more efficient potential across various diseases. Here, we review research on using EVs to treat central nervous system (CNS) diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson diseases, depression, anxiety, dementia, and acute ischemic strokes. We first reviewed the naïve EVs, especially mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) derived EVs in CNS diseases and summarized the clinical trials of EVs in treating CNS diseases and highlighted the reports of two complete trials. Then, we overviewed the preclinical research of EVs as drug and gene delivery vehicles in CNS disease models, including the most recent two years' progress and discussed the mechanisms and new methods of engineered EVs for targeting CNS. Finally, we discussed challenges and future directions and of EVs as personalized medicine for CNS diseases.

Predictive modeling with linear machine learning can estimate glioblastoma survival in months based solely on MGMT-methylation status, age and sex

PURPOSE

Machine Learning (ML) has become an essential tool for analyzing biomedical data, facilitating the prediction of treatment outcomes and patient survival. However, the effectiveness of ML models heavily relies on both the choice of algorithms and the quality of the input data. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel predictive model to estimate individual survival for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), focusing on key variables such as O6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation status, age, and sex.

METHODS

To identify the optimal approach, we utilized retrospective data from 218 patients treated at our brain tumor center. The performance of the ML models was evaluated within repeated tenfold regression. The pipeline comprised five regression estimators, including both linear and non-linear algorithms. Permutation feature importance highlighted the feature with the most significant impact on the model. Statistical significance was assessed using a permutation test procedure.

RESULTS

The best machine learning algorithm achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of 12.65 (SD = ± 2.18) and an explained variance (EV) of 7% (SD = ± 1.8%) with p < 0.001. Linear algorithms led to more accurate predictions than non-linear estimators. Feature importance testing indicated that age and positive MGMT-methylation influenced the predictions the most.

CONCLUSION

In summary, here we provide a novel approach allowing to predict GBM patient's survival in months solely based on key parameters such as age, sex and MGMT-methylation status and underscores MGMT-methylation status as key prognostic factor for GBM patients survival.

Locking the gates of immortality: targeting alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathways

Telomere maintenance is essential for the unlimited proliferation of cancer cells. While most cancers reactivate telomerase to preserve telomeres, approximately 10-15% utilize the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), a telomerase-independent mechanism driven by homologous recombination. ALT is primarily observed in sarcomas and neuroepithelial tumors and it is characterized by hallmarks such as heterogeneous telomere lengths, the presence of ALT-associated PML bodies (APBs), extrachromosomal telomeric repeats (ECTRs), and elevated replication stress. This review has a threefold aim: (1) to examine the mechanisms of ALT activation, (2) to highlight existing therapeutic interventions targeting ALT components and telosomic complexes, and, (3) to pinpoint potential molecular targets for novel anticancer treatments. Therapeutic strategies focus on disrupting APBs, stabilizing G-quadruplex structures, and inhibiting replication stress proteins such as FANCM and SMARCAL1. Emerging evidence highlights the role of shelterin proteins like TRF1 and TRF2, chromatin remodeling factors such as ATRX and DAXX, and the dysregulated cGAS-STING pathway in facilitating ALT activity. Moreover, the inhibitory role of RAP1-SUN1 protein interactions in telomere recombination provides a novel therapeutic avenue. Recent advances have elucidated the intricate balance of replication stress, DNA damage response, and recombination in ALT regulation. These insights can help overcome challenges posed by ALT + cancers, including their ability to transition from telomerase-dependent states. Targeting ALT-specific vulnerabilities offers a promising direction for developing innovative therapies that exploit the unique biology of ALT-driven tumors.

METTL3/YTDHF1 Stabilizes MTCH2 mRNA to Regulate Ferroptosis in Glioma Cells

BACKGROUND

Gliomas are aggressive brain tumors known for their poor prognosis and resistance to standard treatment options. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death that has emerged as a promising target for cancer treatment. This study examined how the methyltransferase-like 3/YTH domain family protein 1 (METTL3/YTHDF1) axis influences ferroptosis and glioma progression by stabilizing mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 (MTCH2) messenger RNA (mRNA).

METHODS

MTCH2 expression in glioma tissues and cell lines was evaluated through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analyses. To assess the effects of MTCH2 knockdown and overexpression on glioma cell functions, we performed a series of functional assays, including cell viability, colony formation, and measurements of lipid reactive oxygen species (lipid ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Additionally, we conducted RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA stability assays to explore the underlying mechanisms governing the interaction between METTL3, YTHDF1, and the stability of MTCH2 mRNA.

RESULTS

MTCH2 was significantly upregulated in glioma tissues and cell lines. Silencing of MTCH2 resulted in decreased glioma cell proliferation and induced ferroptosis, as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation and ROS accumulation. Conversely, overexpression of MTCH2 enhanced glioma cell survival and reduced ferroptosis. METTL3-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification enhanced MTCH2 mRNA stability by enabling YTHDF1 to bind and protect the modified mRNA from degradation.

CONCLUSION

The METTL3/YTHDF1/MTCH2 axis plays a critical role in glioma progression by inhibiting ferroptosis and promoting tumor cell survival. Targeting this pathway may provide a new and effective treatment strategy for glioma patients.

Investigating the relevance of nucleotide metabolism in the prognosis of glioblastoma through bioinformatics models

Nucleotide metabolism (NM) is a fundamental process that enables the rapid growth of tumors. Glioblastoma (GBM) primarily relies on NM for its invasion, leading to severe clinical outcomes. This study focuses on NM to identify potential biomarkers associated with GBM. Publicly available databases were used as the primary data source for this study, excluding biological tissue samples. We identified and evaluated key genes involved in NM, followed by developing and validating a prognostic model. Patients were classified into high- and low-risk groups based on this model, and the two groups were compared with respect to cellular immunity and mutation profiles. The biomarkers were confirmed using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Our study identified UPP1, CDA, NUDT1, and ADSL as significant biomarkers associated with prognosis, all of which were upregulated in patients with GBM. The risk score and clinical factors such as age, sex, GBM stage, MGMT promoter status, and IDH mutation status were found to be independent prognostic factors. Patients with glioblastoma showed a higher overall mutation burden. Using bioinformatics, this study identifies key factors associated with NM in GBM that may influence patient prognosis. This study enhances our understanding of GBM, provides valuable insights for further research, and serves as a reference for evaluating patient outcomes.

Yin Yang 1: Function, Mechanisms, and Glia

Yin Yang 1 is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor that has been extensively studied given its particular dual transcriptional regulation. Yin Yang 1 is involved in various cellular processes like cell cycle progression, cell differentiation, DNA repair, cell survival and apoptosis among others. Its malfunction or alteration leads to disease and even to malignant transformation. This transcription factor is essential for the proper central nervous system development and function. The activity of Yin Yang 1 depends on its interacting partners, promoter environment and chromatin structure, however, its mechanistic activity is not completely understood. In this review, we briefly discuss the Yin Yang 1 structure, post-translational modifications, interactions, mechanistic functions and its participation in neurodevelopment. We also discuss its expression and critical involvement in the physiology and physiopathology of glial cells, summarizing the contribution of Yin Yang 1 on different aspects of cellular function.

Choline kinase alpha regulates autophagy-associated exosome release to promote glioma cell progression

Glioma is the most common primary intracranial malignant tumor in adults, with a poor prognosis. Exosomes released by tumor cells play a crucial role in tumor development, metastasis, angiogenesis, and other biological processes. Despite this significance, the precise molecular mechanisms governing exosome secretion and their impact on tumor progression remain incompletely understood. While Choline Kinase Alpha (CHKA) has been implicated in promoting various types of tumors, its specific role in glioma pathogenesis remains unclear. Our study initially demonstrates that CHKA enhances the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of glioma cells. Interestingly, CHKA also stimulates the release of exosomes from glioma cells. Mechanistically, reduced CHKA expression hampers exosome secretion by elevating autophagy levels in gliomas, whereas counteracting the autophagy elevation resulting from CHKA downregulation restores the release of exosomes. Notably, exosomes derived from glioma cells with normal CHKA expression exhibit a greater capacity to promote glioma progression compared to those derived from cells with low CHKA expression. Overall, our findings suggest that CHKA modulates exosome secretion via an autophagy-dependent pathway, thereby facilitating the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells.

RNF144A-AS1 stabilizes TAF15 and promotes malignant biological behaviors of skin cutaneous melanoma

LncRNAs have been demonstrated to regulate biological processes in malignant tumors. In our previous study, we identified the immune-related LncRNA RNF144A-AS1 as a potential regulator in SKCM. However, its precise function and regulatory mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we observed upregulation of RNF144A-AS1 in SKCM and found that knockdown of RNF144A-AS1 suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition abilities of melanoma cells. Mechanistically, as a high-risk prognostic factor, RNF144A-AS1 regulated biological processes of SKCM by interacting with TAF15 through an RNA-binding protein-dependent (RBP-dependent) manner. Furthermore, we confirmed that TAF15 activated downstream transcriptional regulation of YAP1 to modulate malignant behaviors in melanoma cells. In vivo experiments revealed that knockdown of RNF144A-AS1 inhibited tumorigenic capacity of melanoma cells and exhibited promising therapeutic effects. Collectively, these findings highlight the significance of the RNF144A-AS1/TAF15/YAP1 axis in promoting malignant behaviors in SKCM and provide novel insights into potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this disease.

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Regulates BNIP3-Dependent Mitophagy and Mediates Metabolic Reprogramming Through Histone Lysine Lactylation Modification to Affect Glioma Proliferation and Invasion

OBJECTIVE

Gliomas are the predominant form of malignant brain tumors. We investigated the mechanism of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) affecting glioma metabolic reprogramming, proliferation and invasion.

METHODS

Human glioma cell U87 was cultured under hypoxia and treated with small interfering (si)HIF-1α, si-B cell lymphoma-2/adenovirus E1B 19-kDa interacting protein 3 (siBNIP3), si-YT521-B homology domain 2 (siYTHDF2), 3-methyladenine and 2-deoxyglucose, with exogenous sodium lactate-treated normally-cultured cells as a lactate-positive control. Cellular hexokinase 2, lactate dehydrogenase A and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 enzyme activities, glucose uptake, and levels of lactic acid and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and HIF-1α, glycolysis-related proteins, mitophagy-related proteins, histone H3 lysine 18 lactylation (H3K18la) and YTHDF2 were determined by ELISA, 2-NBDG, kits, and Western blot. Extracellular acidification rate (ECAR), and cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis and mitophagy were evaluated by extracellular flux analysis, CCK-8, Transwell, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining. H3K18la-YTHDF2 relationship and YTHDF2-BNIP3 interaction were assessed by ChIP and Co-IP assays.

RESULTS

Hypoxia-induced highly-expressed HIF-1α in glioma cells increased glycolysis-related protein levels, glycolytic enzyme activities, glucose uptake, lactic acid production, ATP level and ECAR, thereby promoting metabolic reprogramming, invasion and proliferation. HIF-1α mediated metabolic reprogramming, proliferation and invasion through BNIP3-dependent mitophagy, which were partly negated by mitophagy inhibition. HIF-1α induced histone Kla modification to upregulate YTHDF2. YTHDF2 downregulation impeded YTHDF2-BNIP3 interaction and inhibited HIF-1α-induced BNIP3-dependent mitophagy, curbing glioma cell metabolic reprogramming, proliferation and invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoxia-induced high HIF-1α expression upregulated YTHDF2 through hH3K18la modification, enhanced YTHDF2-BNIP3 interaction, and regulated BNIP3-dependent mitophagy-mediated metabolic reprogramming to affect glioma proliferation and invasion.

177Lu Radiolabeled Polydopamine Decorated with Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor for Locoregional Treatment of Glioma

Radionuclide therapy is expected to be a powerful tool for glioma treatment. Here, we introduced a novel nuclear nanomedicine based on polydopamine (PDA), incorporating fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) and macrocyclic chelator (DOTA) for specific cancer targeting and 177Lu labeling. The synthesized nanoradiopharmaceutical, 177Lu-DOTA-PEG-PDA-FAPI, exhibits good stability in serum, saline and PBS over 5 days. 177Lu-DOTA-PEG-PDA-FAPI shows efficient specific uptake and internalization when incubated with U87MG cells. In vivo distribution visualized prominent accumulation and long retention ability of 177Lu-DOTA-PEG-PDA-FAPI at tumor sites after local administration. Moreover, 177Lu-DOTA-PEG-PDA-FAPI has satisfactory antitumor ability without apparent toxic and side effects observed from therapy assay and H&E staining. This study highlights the feasibility of using PDA as a nanocarrier for glioma endoradiotherapy by targeting fibroblast activation protein.

Emerging Approaches in Glioblastoma Treatment: Modulating the Extracellular Matrix Through Nanotechnology

Glioblastoma's (GB) complex tumor microenvironment (TME) promotes its progression and resistance to therapy. A critical component of TME is the extracellular matrix (ECM), which plays a pivotal role in promoting the tumor's invasive behavior and aggressiveness. Nanotechnology holds significant promise for GB treatment, with the potential to address challenges posed by both the blood-brain barrier and the GB ECM. By enabling targeted delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents, nanotechnology offers the prospect of improving treatment efficacy and diagnostic accuracy at the tumor site. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of GB, including its epidemiology, classification, and current treatment strategies, alongside the intricacies of its TME. It highlights nanotechnology-based strategies, focusing on nanoparticle formulations such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and gold nanoparticles, which have shown promise in GB therapy. Furthermore, it explores how different emerging nanotechnology strategies modulate the ECM to overcome the challenges posed by its high density, which restricts drug distribution within GB tumors. By emphasizing the intersection of nanotechnology and GB ECM, this review underscores an innovative approach to advancing GB treatment. It addresses the limitations of current therapies, identifies new research avenues, and emphasizes the potential of nanotechnology to improve patient outcomes.

Comprehensive analysis reveals PLK3 as a promising immune target and prognostic indicator in glioma

Background

PLK3, which played an important role in cell cycle progression and stress response, was identified as highly expressed in various carcinomas. However, the functions, molecular characteristics, and prognostic value of PLK3 in glioma remained unexplored.

Methods

We analyzed PLK3 expression in glioma samples from multiple databases. Both overexpression and knockdown of Plk3 were performed to investigate tumor cell growth in glioma, and the transplanted glioma mouse model demonstrated the role of Plk3 on tumor progression. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect PLK3 expression and immune cell infiltration. The trans-well assay for PLK3 on the immune cells recruitment was also determined. Additionally, we further evaluated the correlation between PLK3 and PD-1/PD-L1 as well as other immune checkpoints.

Results

We found that an increased level of PLK3 was associated with malignancy and poor prognosis of glioma, and further validated that PLK3 promoted glioma progression. PLK3 also played a crucial role in immune response and was involved in Tcell immune suppression. Specifically, we revealed that CD8+ and CD4+ Tcell infiltration was decreased in Plk3 overexpressed xenografts. Furthermore, it was predicted that PLK3 was synergistic with other checkpoint members in glioma. In general, high expression of PLK3 was associated with a malignant process and poor prognosis in glioma patients.

Conclusion

Our findings indicated that PLK3 expression level was highly correlated to the malignancy of gliomas, and we validated that PLK3 could promote the GBM progress in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, PLK3 played important roles in Tcell and neutrophil immune response in glioma. Besides, the conspicuous association between PLK3 and other immune checkpoints was also observed. Crucially, high-level PLK3 expression was revealed to be related to poor clinical prognosis. These results demonstrated that PLK3 may serve as a prognostic biomarker and a potential target for glioma.

Identification of Key Biomarkers Associated with Glioma Hemorrhage: Evidence from Bioinformatic Analysis and Clinical Validation

Hemorrhagic stroke is a known complication of glioma, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aims to investigate key biomarkers of glioma-related hemorrhage to provide insights into glioma molecular therapies. Data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in glioma by contrasting glioblastoma (GBM) with low-grade gliomas (LGGs). We conducted enrichment analyses using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) databases through the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). A STRING-based protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was developed to identify hub genes, which were subsequently analyzed for their functions in the GeneCards database. To identify angiogenesis-associated genes, we utilized the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) databases. A clinical pathological study was conducted using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining to confirm the findings. In the GEO database, the GEO Series Experiments GSE26576 and GSE184941 included 4523 and 1471 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. We identified 2715 DEGs using the cBioPortal within the TCGA database. A Venn diagram identified 39 common DEGs. The KEGG pathways and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis highlighted functions related to angiogenesis. PPI network analyses pinpointed 13 hub genes. Through cross-referencing a gene set related to tumor angiogenesis in the GeneCards database, we identified MMP-2 and EGFR as key genes. In the HPA database, we observed EGFR and MMP-2 expression in the normal cerebral cortex, confirmed by IHC. In GEPIA database, high MMP-2 levels were associated with decreased survival time, while EGFR expression showed no significant differences in survival. A clinical study of 21 patients, 11 in the control group and 10 in the stroke group with glioma hemorrhage, revealed no significant differences in their characteristics or comorbidities. IDH1 positivity was higher in the control group (4/11) vs the stroke group (0/10). Tumor cells exhibited increased MMP-2 and EGFR expression, with stronger staining in the stroke group. Our study concluded that IDH1, MMP-2, and EGFR are implicated in the molecular mechanism of glioma hemorrhage as key biomarkers. MMP-2 and IDH1 are potential targets for molecular therapy.

Identification of critical biomarkers and immune landscape patterns in glioma based on multi-database

PURPOSE

Glioma is the most prevalent tumor of the central nervous system. The poor clinical outcomes and limited therapeutic efficacy underscore the urgent need for early diagnosis and an optimized prognostic approach for glioma. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify sensitive biomarkers for glioma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of glioma were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The potential biomarkers were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. The prognostic ability of the potential biomarkers was evaluated by Cox regression and survival curve. CellMiner was used to access the correlation between the expression of potential biomarkers and anticancer drug sensitivity. We then explored the association of potential biomarkers and tumor immune infiltration by single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) and CIBERSORT. Immune staining in glioma patient samples and cell experiments of potential biomarkers further verified their expression and function.

RESULTS

Ultimately, we identified three potential biomarkers: SLC8A2, ATP2B3, and SRCIN1. These 3 genes were found significantly correlated with clinicopathological features (age, WHO grade, IDH mutation status, 1p19q codeletion status). Furthermore, the overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were found to be positively correlated with high expression of these 3 potential biomarkers. Besides, there was a substantial relationship between the sensitivity of anticancer drugs and these biomarkers expression. More importantly, the negative association between the 3 genes with most tumor immune cells was also established. Moreover, the decreased expression of the biomarkers was also verified in glioma patient samples. Finally, we confirmed that these 3 genes might promotes glioma proliferation and migration in vitro.

CONCLUSION

SLC8A2, ATP2B3, and SRCIN1 were identified as underlying biomarkers for glioma associated with prognosis assessments and personal immunotherapy.

Analyzing the clinical characteristics of the SCAMP5 gene in gliomas and establishing a predictive model

Gliomas are frequently occurring tumors in the nervous system. The secretory carrier membrane protein 5 (SCAMP5) plays a distinct role in the cytosolic function of mammalian cells and is associated with different neurological disorders. However, how SCAMP5 is expressed and its prognostic value in gliomas is unclear. The datasets were downloaded from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas website (http://www.cgga.org.cn/). We conducted a Cox survival analysis to establish a correlation between SCAMP5 gene expression and the general survival rate of patients with glioma. We performed Gene Ontology analysis to determine the biological functions of the SCAMP5 gene. Finally, we constructed a prediction model using primary relapse state type, age, grade, isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation status, 1p/19q co-deletion status, and the SCAMP5 gene expression value. Using this model, we can forecast the survival rates of patients for 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 years. SCAMP5 was enriched in low-grade gliomas and isocitrate dehydrogenase mutant gliomas, 1p19q-deficient gliomas. SCAPM5 is an independent prognostic factor for the overall survival of glioma patients. Predictive models developed by SCAMP5 were able to predict well the long-term survival of patients. The evidence suggests that the SCAMP5 gene plays a significant function in glioma patients. There is a clear correlation between the expression of the SCAMP5 gene and the overall survival of glioma patients.

Distinct roles of small extracellular vesicles from resident and infiltrating macrophages on glioma growth and mobility

Previous studies revealed that tumor-associated macrophages/microglia (TAMs) promoted glioma invasiveness during tumor progression and after radiotherapy. However, the communication of TAMs with tumor cells remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the role of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from TAMs in TAMs-mediated brain tumor invasion. This study utilized BV2 and RAW264.7 cell lines representing resident and infiltrating macrophages, respectively, to unveil their effect on tumor cells. Purified sEVs from BV2 and RAW264.7 were validated by nanoparticle track analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and western blotting for sEV markers. The effect of sEVs on the murine astrocytoma tumor cell line ALTS1C1 was examined on cell proliferation, migration, and gene expression. The results showed that ALTS1C1 cells effectively engulfed sEVs purified from BV2 and RAW264.7. Only BV2-derived sEVs promoted cell proliferation and were dose-dependent. Further, morphological changes in ALTS1C1 cells were observed after incubation with BV2-derived sEVs, which was associated with enhancing cell migration. BV2-mediated glioma proliferation and mobility were related to the upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and downregulation of death effector domain-containing protein (DEDD) gene expression. This study demonstrates the distinct function of sEVs of resident macrophages on glioma cell invasion and reveals the mechanism underlying microglia-mediated tumor progression. These findings suggested resident microglia is the potential therapeutic target for TAMs-induced brain tumor invasiveness.

Efficacy and Safety of Bevacizumab Combined with Temozolomide in the Treatment of Glioma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

OBJECTIVE

Glioma is the most common malignant brain tumor in neurosurgery. Bevacizumab (BEV) is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits tumors by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor and reducing tumor angiogenesis. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of BEV combined with temozolomide (TMZ) in glioma, we performed a meta-analysis.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing survival outcomes between TMZ combined with BEV and TMZ alone as well as cohort studies were included in our study. The primary outcome measures analyzed were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

A total of 6 randomized controlled trials and 4 cohort studies with a total of 2515 patients were included in our meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis suggested that there were no significant improvements in overall survival, but the combination of TMZ and BEV prolonged progression-free survival, improved overall response rate, and increased the incidence of some adverse reactions, compared with TMZ alone. Subgroup analysis suggested sex, recursive partitioning analysis grade, O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase gene status and radiotherapy combination did not affect the improvement of OS with the combination of the 2 drugs, and recursive partitioning analysis grade did not affect the improvement of PFS with the combination of the 2 drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of TMZ and BEV can improve PFS as well as overall response rate in patients and has no benefit on OS. At the same time, the adverse reactions during the combination of the 2 drugs were acceptable.

DNA Methylation in Prostate Cancer: Clinical Implications and Potential Applications

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is a common cancer with a variable prognosis. Its management is currently guided by histological and biological markers such as the Gleason score and PSA. Developments in molecular biology are now making it possible to identify new targets for better classification of prostate cancer. Among emerging biomarker, DNA methylation, an epigenetic process, is increasingly being studied in carcinogenesis. Techniques for analyzing DNA methylation are constantly improving, and digital PCR now allows absolute methylation quantification with high sensitivity. These techniques can be performed on circulating tumor DNA.

MATERIALS & METHODS

We conducted a literature review of scientific articles addressing the topic of DNA methylation in prostate cancer.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

This review summarizes the different genes whose methylation is involved in carcinogenesis and their clinical implications, both diagnostic and prognostic. Methylation monitoring could also be useful for the prediction of treatment response. However, most studies are retrospective, and prospective studies are needed to validate these data.

Complement C1S is a potential prognostic biomarker and associated with M2 macrophage infiltration in gliomas: From bioinformatics to comprehensive experimental validation

Glioma is the most common malignant tumor of the central nervous system, and the ability of traditional clinical treatment to prolong the survival of glioma patients is limited. A substantial body of evidence underscores the pivotal role of the immune system in eradicating malignant cells and impeding tumor metastasis. Consequently, tumor immunotherapy has become a promising avenue to address the clinical conundrum faced by glioma patients. The complement system is a natural immune system that is an important line of defense in the immune response. C1S plays a key role in activating the classical complement system. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on the role of C1S in glioma tumorigenesis and progression. In this study, we demonstrated that C1S was upregulated in GBM (Grade IV) and low-grade gliomas (LGG, Grade II-III) by combining glioma cohorts from multiple public databases with our internal independent cohorts and that increased C1S expression levels predict a poor prognosis for gliomas. Cox regression analysis identified C1S as an important prognostic indicator for glioma patients. In addition, gene functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that C1S was involved in cellular immunity, T-cell activation, macrophage differentiation, and cell proliferation. Further experiments demonstrated that C1S facilitates tumor cell proliferation, cell migration and intracranial tumor growth in nude mice. More importantly, we evaluated the role of C1S in immune infiltration. These results suggested that C1S was closely related to a variety of immune cell types in glioma, especially M2 macrophages. Our findings were further validated via glioma tissue microarray immunohistochemical analysis and an M2 macrophage infiltration assay. Together, these findings revealed the underlying critical role of C1S in glioma tumorigenesis, progression, and the tumor immune microenvironment, contributing to further understanding of glioma pathogenesis and guiding immunotherapy.

Emerging discoveries on the role of TRIM14: from diseases to immune regulation

TRIM14 is an important member of the TRIM family and is widely expressed in a variety of tissues. Like other members of the TRIM family, TRIM14 is also involved in ubiquitination modifications. TRIM14 was initially reported as an interferon-stimulated gene (ISG). In recent years, many studies have focused on the regulatory role of TRIM14 in signaling pathways such as the PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, and cGAS/STING pathways and revealed its mechanism of action in a variety of pathophysiological processes, and the regulation of TRIM14 has attracted the interest of many researchers as a new direction for the treatment of various diseases. However, there are no reviews on the role of TRIM14 in diseases. In this paper, we will describe the structure of TRIM14, review its role in cancer, cardiovascular disease, cervical spondylosis, inflammation and antiviral immunity, and provide an outlook on future research directions.

MicroRNA-124-3p targets Sp1 transcription factor to regulate glioma progression in rats

Gliomas are the most prevalent malignancies of the central nervous system (CNS). Downregulation of microRNA‑124 (miR‑124) has been identified in glioma; however, its biological functions in glioma are not yet fully understood. Specificity protein 1 (SP1) is a type of transcription factor that is involved in cancer progression. In this study, we examined the targeting of Sp1 mRNA by miR-124-3p in a rat glioma model. After confirming and selecting the binding of Sp1 to miR-124 with the help of bioinformatics methods, adult male Wistar rats were used to induce glioma by microinjection of 1 × 106 C6 cells into the striatum area of brain. The rats were divided into 3 groups; intact, sham and glioma groups. The presence of glioma was confirmed 21 days after implantation through histological analysis. The expression levels of miR-124 and SP1 genes in the experimental groups were examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Our data showed that the expression of miR-124 was significantly downregulated in glioma group compared to the sham and intact group, while the expression of SP1 was significantly upregulated. We found that the expression levels of miR-124 and Sp1 were decreased and increased in C6 cell line compared to the normal brain tissue cell line, respectively. The results indicated that Sp1 was identified as a direct target of miR‑124 through luciferase reporter assays. In summary, this study demonstrated for the first time that miR-124 expression is downregulated and Sp1 expression is upregulated in an animal model of glioma, which, in turn, may be involved in the development of glioma brain cancer.

A novel risk model consisting of nine platelet-related gene signatures for predicting prognosis, immune features and drug sensitivity in glioma

BACKGROUND

Glioma is a malignancy with challenging clinical treatment and poor prognosis. Platelets are closely associated with tumor growth, propagation, invasion, and angiogenesis. However, the role of platelet-related genes in glioma treatment and prognosis remains unclear.

RESULTS

A prognostic risk model was established using nine platelet-related prognostic signature genes (CAPG, CLIC1, GLB1, GNG12, KIF20A, PDIA4, SULF2, TAGLN2, and WEE1), and the risk score of samples were calculated. Subsequently, the glioma samples were divided into high- and low-risk groups based on the median values of risk scores. scRNA-seq analysis revealed that the prognostic genes were primarily located in astrocytes and natural killer cells. The immune infiltration proportions of most immune cells differed significantly between high- and low-risk groups. Moreover, we found AZD7762 as a potential candidate for glioma treatment.

CONCLUSION

Nine platelet-related prognostic genes identified as prognostic signatures for glioma were closely associated with the TME and may aid in directing the clinical treatment and prognosis of gliomas.