Comprehensive characterization of pyroptosis phenotypes with distinct tumor immune profiles in gastric cancer to aid immunotherapy

Predictive significance of MPT-driven necrosis-related genes signature in gastric cancer and their impact on the tumor microenvironment

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) presents significant management challenges. MPT-driven necrosis (MPTDN) plays a significant role in various conditions, but its connection with GC is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the predictive significance of MPTDN-related genes (MPTDNRGs) in GC and their effect on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME).

METHODS

RNA sequencing data for GC were sourced from TCGA and GEO databases. The mutation profiles and MPTDNRG expression between tumor and normal samples were assessed. Prognostic mRNAs were identified using univariate Cox regression and LASSO regression. GC patients were classified into high- and low-risk groups according to risk scores, followed by survival analysis and evaluation of correlations between MPTDN score and clinicopathological features, functional pathway, TIME, and responses to immunotherapy.

RESULTS

MPTDNRGs exhibited a 64% mutation rate in GC, with 22 showing significant expression differences. Univariate Cox and LASSO regression identified 15 independently prognostic MPTDNRGs. The prognostic risk model stratified patients into two groups, revealing significant differences in overall and disease-free survival. A nomogram incorporating the signature and clinical characteristics showed strong specificity and sensitivity in predicting prognosis. The MPTDN score was significantly associated with clinical characteristics, functional pathways, and TIME. scRNA-seq analysis indicated higher MPTDN-signature expression in CD8 + T cells, malignant cells, and myofibroblasts. TIDE analysis suggested high-risk patients have reduced responses to immunotherapy, while low-risk patients could benefit more. Importantly, validation using urothelial carcinoma data confirmed a better prognosis for low-risk patients with immunotherapy.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the importance of MPTDN-related signatures in predicting GC prognosis and guiding therapeutic decisions.

Research progress on the effect of pyroptosis on the occurrence, development, invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer

Pyroptosis is a type of programmed cell death mediated by gasdermines (GSDMs). The N-terminal domain of GSDMs forms pores in the plasma membrane, causing cell membrane rupture and the release of cell contents, leading to an inflammatory response and mediating pyrodeath. Pyroptosis plays an important role in inflammatory diseases and malignant tumors. With the further study of pyroptosis, an increasing number of studies have shown that the pyroptosis pathway can regulate the tumor microenvironment and antitumor immunity of colorectal cancer and is closely related to the occurrence, development, treatment and prognosis of colorectal cancer. This review aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of pyroptosis and the role of pyroptosis in the occurrence, development, treatment and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to provide ideas for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CRC.

Application of pyroptosis score in the treatment and prognosis evaluation of gastric cancer

Pyroptosis is a kind of proinflammatory programmed cell death mediated by inflammasome. It affects the occurrence and development of gastric cancer through different ways, showing dual effects. On the one hand, inflammasome-mediated inflammatory response is highly likely to participate in the formation and development of early tumors; on the other hand, drugs can inhibit the deterioration process of tumor proliferation, invasion and metastasis through activating the pathways of inflammasome and pyroptosis. Recently, many agents based on pyroptosis have been found to inhibit gastric cancer by promoting the secondary pyroptosis pathway, regulating NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and inhibiting caspase-1. The establishment of cell pyrodeath models can predict the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Most of the models show that gastric cancer patients with high pyroptosis level have better prognosis and longer overall survival. Pyroptosis scores can also be used to predict the response of gastric cancer patients to immunotherapy and to screen potential anti-gastric cancer drugs. Therefore, in-depth understanding of the potential mechanism of pyroptosis affecting the progression of gastric cancer and the role of pyroptosis score in the treatment and prognosis assessment of gastric cancer will be helpful to find a new and effective method for the treatment of gastric cancer.