A three ion channel genes-based signature predicts prognosis of primary glioblastoma patients and reveals a chemotherapy sensitive subtype

mRNA markers for survival prediction in glioblastoma multiforme patients: a systematic review with bioinformatic analyses

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a type of fast-growing brain glioma associated with a very poor prognosis. This study aims to identify key genes whose expression is associated with the overall survival (OS) in patients with GBM.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science up to Journey 2024. Two researchers independently extracted the data and assessed the study quality according to the New Castle Ottawa scale (NOS). The genes whose expression was found to be associated with survival were identified and considered in a subsequent bioinformatic study. The products of these genes were also analyzed considering protein-protein interaction (PPI) relationship analysis using STRING. Additionally, the most important genes associated with GBM patients' survival were also identified using the Cytoscape 3.9.0 software. For final validation, GEPIA and CGGA (mRNAseq_325 and mRNAseq_693) databases were used to conduct OS analyses. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed with GO Biological Process 2023.

RESULTS

From an initial search of 4104 articles, 255 studies were included from 24 countries. Studies described 613 unique genes whose mRNAs were significantly associated with OS in GBM patients, of which 107 were described in 2 or more studies. Based on the NOS, 131 studies were of high quality, while 124 were considered as low-quality studies. According to the PPI network, 31 key target genes were identified. Pathway analysis revealed five hub genes (IL6, NOTCH1, TGFB1, EGFR, and KDR). However, in the validation study, only, the FN1 gene was significant in three cohorts.

CONCLUSION

We successfully identified the most important 31 genes whose products may be considered as potential prognosis biomarkers as well as candidate target genes for innovative therapy of GBM tumors.

Non-conducting functions of potassium channels in cancer and neurological disease

Cancer and neurodegenerative disease, albeit fundamental differences, share some common pathogenic mechanisms. Accordingly, both conditions are associated with aberrant cell proliferation and migration. Here, we review the causative role played by potassium (K+) channels, a fundamental class of proteins, in cancer and neurodegenerative disease. The concept that emerges from the review of the literature is that K+ channels can promote the development and progression of cancerous and neurodegenerative pathologies by dysregulating cell proliferation and migration. K+ channels appear to control these cellular functions in ways that not necessarily depend on their conducting properties and that involve the ability to directly or indirectly engage growth and survival signaling pathways. As cancer and neurodegenerative disease represent global health concerns, identifying commonalities may help understand the molecular basis for those devastating conditions and may facilitate the design of new drugs or the repurposing of existing drugs.

Molecular landscapes of glioblastoma cell lines revealed a group of patients that do not benefit from WWOX tumor suppressor expression

Introduction

Glioblastoma (GBM) is notorious for its clinical and molecular heterogeneity, contributing to therapeutic failure and a grim prognosis. WWOX is one of the tumor suppressor genes important in nervous tissue or related pathologies, which was scarcely investigated in GBM for reliable associations with prognosis or disease progression despite known alterations. Recently, we observed a phenotypic heterogeneity between GBM cell lines (U87MG, T98G, U251MG, DBTRG-05MG), among which the anti-GBM activity of WWOX was generally corresponding, but colony growth and formation were inconsistent in DBTRG-05MG. This prompted us to investigate the molecular landscapes of these cell lines, intending to translate them into the clinical context.

Methods

U87MG/T98G/U251MG/DBTRG-05MG were subjected to high-throughput sequencing, and obtained data were explored via weighted gene co-expression network analysis, differential expression analysis, functional annotation, and network building. Following the identification of the most relevant DBTRG-distinguishing driver genes, data from GBM patients were employed for, e.g., differential expression analysis, survival analysis, and principal component analysis.

Results

Although most driver genes were unique for each cell line, some were inversely regulated in DBTRG-05MG. Alongside driver genes, the differentially-expressed genes were used to build a WWOX-related network depicting protein-protein interactions in U87MG/T98G/U251MG/DBTRG-05MG. This network revealed processes distinctly regulated in DBTRG-05MG, e.g., microglia proliferation or neurofibrillary tangle assembly. POLE4 and HSF2BP were selected as DBTRG-discriminating driver genes based on the gene significance, module membership, and fold-change. Alongside WWOX, POLE4 and HSF2BP expression was used to stratify patients into cell lines-resembling groups that differed in, e.g., prognosis and treatment response. Some differences from a WWOX-related network were certified in patients, revealing genes that clarify clinical outcomes. Presumably, WWOX overexpression in DBTRG-05MG resulted in expression profile change resembling that of patients with inferior prognosis and drug response. Among these patients, WWOX may be inaccessible for its partners and does not manifest its anti-cancer activity, which was proposed in the literature but not regarding glioblastoma or concerning POLE4 and HSF2BP.

Conclusion

Cell lines data enabled the identification of patients among which, despite high expression of WWOX tumor suppressor, no advantageous outcomes were noted due to the cancer-promoting profile ensured by other genes.

Ligand-Gated Ion Channels: Prognostic and Therapeutic Implications for Gliomas

Gliomas are common primary brain malignancies that remain difficult to treat due to their overall aggressiveness and heterogeneity. Although a variety of therapeutic strategies have been employed for the treatment of gliomas, there is increasing evidence that suggests ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs) can serve as a valuable biomarker and diagnostic tool in the pathogenesis of gliomas. Various LGICs, including P2X, SYT16, and PANX2, have the potential to become altered in the pathogenesis of glioma, which can disrupt the homeostatic activity of neurons, microglia, and astrocytes, further exacerbating the symptoms and progression of glioma. Consequently, LGICs, including purinoceptors, glutamate-gated receptors, and Cys-loop receptors, have been targeted in clinical trials for their potential therapeutic benefit in the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas. In this review, we discuss the role of LGICs in the pathogenesis of glioma, including genetic factors and the effect of altered LGIC activity on the biological functioning of neuronal cells. Additionally, we discuss current and emerging investigations regarding the use of LGICs as a clinical target and potential therapeutic for gliomas.

Ion Channels in Gliomas-From Molecular Basis to Treatment

Ion channels provide the basis for the nervous system's intrinsic electrical activity. Neuronal excitability is a characteristic property of neurons and is critical for all functions of the nervous system. Glia cells fulfill essential supportive roles, but unlike neurons, they also retain the ability to divide. This can lead to uncontrolled growth and the formation of gliomas. Ion channels are involved in the unique biology of gliomas pertaining to peritumoral pathology and seizures, diffuse invasion, and treatment resistance. The emerging picture shows ion channels in the brain at the crossroads of neurophysiology and fundamental pathophysiological processes of specific cancer behaviors as reflected by uncontrolled proliferation, infiltration, resistance to apoptosis, metabolism, and angiogenesis. Ion channels are highly druggable, making them an enticing therapeutic target. Targeting ion channels in difficult-to-treat brain tumors such as gliomas requires an understanding of their extremely heterogenous tumor microenvironment and highly diverse molecular profiles, both representing major causes of recurrence and treatment resistance. In this review, we survey the current knowledge on ion channels with oncogenic behavior within the heterogeneous group of gliomas, review ion channel gene expression as genomic biomarkers for glioma prognosis and provide an update on therapeutic perspectives for repurposed and novel ion channel inhibitors and electrotherapy.

Autonomous rhythmic activity in glioma networks drives brain tumour growth

Diffuse gliomas, particularly glioblastomas, are incurable brain tumours¹. They are characterized by networks of interconnected brain tumour cells that communicate via Ca²⁺ transients^2-6. However, the networks' architecture and communication strategy and how these influence tumour biology remain unknown. Here we describe how glioblastoma cell networks include a small, plastic population of highly active glioblastoma cells that display rhythmic Ca²⁺ oscillations and are particularly connected to others. Their autonomous periodic Ca²⁺ transients preceded Ca²⁺ transients of other network-connected cells, activating the frequency-dependent MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Mathematical network analysis revealed that glioblastoma network topology follows scale-free and small-world properties, with periodic tumour cells frequently located in network hubs. This network design enabled resistance against random damage but was vulnerable to losing its key hubs. Targeting of autonomous rhythmic activity by selective physical ablation of periodic tumour cells or by genetic or pharmacological interference with the potassium channel KCa3.1 (also known as IK1, SK4 or KCNN4) strongly compromised global network communication. This led to a marked reduction of tumour cell viability within the entire network, reduced tumour growth in mice and extended animal survival. The dependency of glioblastoma networks on periodic Ca²⁺ activity generates a vulnerability⁷ that can be exploited for the development of novel therapies, such as with KCa3.1-inhibiting drugs.

Potassium Ion Channels in Malignant Central Nervous System Cancers

Malignant central nervous system (CNS) cancers are among the most difficult to treat, with low rates of survival and a high likelihood of recurrence. This is primarily due to their location within the CNS, hindering adequate drug delivery and tumour access via surgery. Furthermore, CNS cancer cells are highly plastic, an adaptive property that enables them to bypass targeted treatment strategies and develop drug resistance. Potassium ion channels have long been implicated in the progression of many cancers due to their integral role in several hallmarks of the disease. Here, we will explore this relationship further, with a focus on malignant CNS cancers, including high-grade glioma (HGG). HGG is the most lethal form of primary brain tumour in adults, with the majority of patient mortality attributed to drug-resistant secondary tumours. Hence, targeting proteins that are integral to cellular plasticity could reduce tumour recurrence, improving survival. This review summarises the role of potassium ion channels in malignant CNS cancers, specifically how they contribute to proliferation, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and plasticity. We will also explore how specific modulation of these proteins may provide a novel way to overcome drug resistance and improve patient outcomes.

Comprehensive Genomic and Epigenomic Analyses on Transcriptomic Regulation in Stomach Adenocarcinoma

Background: DNA methylation (MET)–mediated transcriptomic disturbance and copy number variations (CNVs) exert a significant influence in stimulating the heterogeneous progression of stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). Nevertheless, the relation of DNA MET with CNVs, together with its impact on tumor occurrence, is still unclear.

Methods: The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression (EXP) profiles, DNA MET, and DNA copy numbers, together with STAD mutation data, were collected from the TCGA official data portal. We employed circular binary segmentation algorithm in “DNAcopy.” library of R package for mapping DNA CNV data at genetic level for all samples based on the segmented CNV data. Stable clusters of samples were recognized using negative matrix factorization cluster analysis based on 50 iterations and the “brunet” method using the MET-correlated (METcor) and CNV-correlated (CNVcor) genes. The R package “iCluster” method was utilized to comprehensively analyze the EXP, MET, and DNA CNV profiles.

Results: A total of 313 STAD samples were isolated for checking DNA copy numbers and MET and for measuring EXP. In accordance with our results, we discovered obvious co-regulation of CNVcor genes and METcor counterparts. Apart from that, these genes were subject to multi-omics integration. Meanwhile, three subtypes of STAD were detected and confirmed based on independent data. Among them, the subtype with increased aggressiveness was related to decreased mutation frequencies of ARID1A, PIK3CA, ZFHX3, SPECC1, OBSCN, KMT2D, FSIP2, ZBTB20, TTN, and RANBP2, together with the abnormal levels of JPH3, KCNB1, and PLCXD3.

Conclusion: According to the results, these aforementioned genes exerted crucial roles in the development of invasive STAD. Our findings on transcriptomic regulation genomically and epigenetically facilitate the understanding of the STAD pathology from different aspects, which help to develop efficient anti-STAD therapy.

TP53-Associated Ion Channel Genes Serve as Prognostic Predictor and Therapeutic Targets in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

TP53 mutations are the most occurred mutation in HNSCC which might affect the ion channel genes. We aim to investigate the ion channel gene alteration under TP53 mutation and their prognostic implication. The overall mutation status of HNSCC were explored. By screening the TP53-associated ion channel genes (TICGs), an ion channel prognostic signature (ICPS) was established through a series of machine learning algorithms. The ICPS was then evaluated and its clinical significance was explored. 82 TICGs differentially expressed between TP53WT and TP53MUT were screened. Using univariate regression analysis and LASSO regression analysis and multivariate regression analysis, an ICPS containing 7 ion channel genes was established. A series of evaluation was carried out which proved the predictive ability of ICPS. Functional analysis of ICPS revealed that cancer-related pathways were enriched in high-risk group. Next, for clinical application, a nomogram was constructed based on ICPS and other independent clinicopathological factors. TP53 mutation status strongly affects the expression of ion channel genes. The ICPM we have identified is a strong indicator for HNSCC prognosis and could help with patient stratification as well as identification of novel drug targets.

Identification of the potential biomarkers in patients with glioma: a weighted gene co-expression network analysis

Glioma is the most common brain tumor with high mortality. However, there are still challenges for the timely and accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of the tumor. One hundred and twenty-one samples with grades II, III and IV from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were used to construct gene co-expression networks to identify hub modules closely related to glioma grade, and performed pathway enrichment analysis on genes from significant modules. In gene co-expression network constructed by 2345 differentially expressed genes from 121 gene expression profiles for glioma, we identified the black and blue modules that associated with grading. The module preservation analysis based on 118 samples indicates that the two modules were replicable. Enrichment analysis showed that the extracellular matrix genes were enriched for blue module, while cell division genes were enriched for black module. According to survival analysis, 21 hub genes were significantly up-regulated and one gene was significantly down-regulated. What’s more, IKBIP, SEC24D, and FAM46A are the genes with little attention among the 22 hub genes. In this study, IKBIP, SEC24D, and FAM46A related to glioma were mentioned for the first time to the current knowledge, which might provide a new idea for us to study the disease in the future. IKBIP, SEC24D and FAM46A among the 22 hub genes identified that are related to the malignancy degree of glioma might be used as new biomarkers to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of glioma.

Ion Channels as Therapeutic Targets in High Grade Gliomas

Simple Summary

Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive grade IV lethal brain tumour with a median survival of 14 months. Despite surgery to remove the tumour, and subsequent concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, there is little in terms of effective treatment options. Because of this, exploring new treatment avenues is vital. Brain tumours are intrinsically electrically active; expressing unique patterns of ion channels, and this is a characteristic we can exploit. Ion channels are specialised proteins in the cell’s membrane that allow for the passage of positive and negatively charged ions in and out of the cell, controlling membrane potential. Membrane potential is a crucial biophysical signal in normal and cancerous cells. Research has identified that specific classes of ion channels not only move the cell through its cell cycle, thus encouraging growth and proliferation, but may also be essential in the development of brain tumours. Inhibition of sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride channels has been shown to reduce the capacity of glioblastoma cells to grow and invade. Therefore, we propose that targeting ion channels and repurposing commercially available ion channel inhibitors may hold the key to new therapeutic avenues in high grade gliomas.

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a lethal brain cancer with an average survival of 14–15 months even with exhaustive treatment. High grade gliomas (HGG) represent the leading cause of CNS cancer-related death in children and adults due to the aggressive nature of the tumour and limited treatment options. The scarcity of treatment available for GBM has opened the field to new modalities such as electrotherapy. Previous studies have identified the clinical benefit of electrotherapy in combination with chemotherapeutics, however the mechanistic action is unclear. Increasing evidence indicates that not only are ion channels key in regulating electrical signaling and membrane potential of excitable cells, they perform a crucial role in the development and neoplastic progression of brain tumours. Unlike other tissue types, neural tissue is intrinsically electrically active and reliant on ion channels and their function. Ion channels are essential in cell cycle control, invasion and migration of cancer cells and therefore present as valuable therapeutic targets. This review aims to discuss the role that ion channels hold in gliomagenesis and whether we can target and exploit these channels to provide new therapeutic targets and whether ion channels hold the mechanistic key to the newfound success of electrotherapies.

Ion Channels and Their Role in the Pathophysiology of Gliomas

Malignant gliomas are the most common primary central nervous system tumors and their prognosis is very poor. In recent years, ion channels have been demonstrated to play important roles in tumor pathophysiology such as regulation of gene expression, cell migration, and cell proliferation. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of ion channels on the development and progression of gliomas. Cell volume changes through the regulation of ion flux, accompanied by water flux, are essential for migration and invasion. Signaling pathways affected by ion channel activity play roles in cell survival and cell proliferation. Moreover, ion channels are involved in glioma-related seizures, sensitivity to chemotherapy, and tumor metabolism. Ion channels are potential targets for the treatment of these lethal tumors. Despite our increased understanding of the contributions of ion channels to glioma biology, this field remains poorly studied. This review summarizes the current literature on this important topic.

Voltage-gated ion channels mediate the electrotaxis of glioblastoma cells in a hybrid PMMA/PDMS microdevice

Transformed astrocytes in the most aggressive form cause glioblastoma, the most common cancer in the central nervous system with high mortality. The physiological electric field by neuronal local field potentials and tissue polarity may guide the infiltration of glioblastoma cells through the electrotaxis process. However, microenvironments with multiplex gradients are difficult to create. In this work, we have developed a hybrid microfluidic platform to study glioblastoma electrotaxis in controlled microenvironments with high throughput quantitative analysis by machine learning-powered single cell tracking software. By equalizing the hydrostatic pressure difference between inlets and outlets of the microchannel, uniform single cells can be seeded reliably inside the microdevice. The electrotaxis of two glioblastoma models, T98G and U-251MG, requires an optimal laminin-containing extracellular matrix and exhibits opposite directional and electro-alignment tendencies. Calcium signaling is a key contributor in glioblastoma pathophysiology but its role in glioblastoma electrotaxis is still an open question. Anodal T98G electrotaxis and cathodal U-251MG electrotaxis require the presence of extracellular calcium cations. U-251MG electrotaxis is dependent on the P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) and T98G is dependent on the R-type VGCC. U-251MG electrotaxis and T98G electrotaxis are also mediated by A-type (rapidly inactivating) voltage-gated potassium channels and acid-sensing sodium channels. The involvement of multiple ion channels suggests that the glioblastoma electrotaxis is complex and patient-specific ion channel expression can be critical to develop personalized therapeutics to fight against cancer metastasis. The hybrid microfluidic design and machine learning-powered single cell analysis provide a simple and flexible platform for quantitative investigation of complicated biological systems.

Microarray gene profiling analysis of glioblastoma cell line U87 reveals suppression of the FANCD2/Fanconi anemia pathway by the combination of Y15 and temozolomide

INTRODUCTION

A recent study showed that a combination of Y15 (a FAK autophosphorylation inhibitor) with temozolomide (TMZ) treatment was effective in glioblastoma (GBM) therapy. In this study, we further investigated the pathways and genes that are differentially expressed in Y15 and TMZ treated U87 cells via bioinformatics analysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The microarray gene profiling analysis screened out genes with differential expression in U87 cells treated with TMZ and Y15. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified the key GO terms and KEGG pathways in TMZ + Y15 treated U87 cells. The functional partner genes of TMZ were predicted by the STICH database. FANCD2 expression in U87 cells was detected by qRT-PCR. MTT assay and colony formation assay were conducted for cell viability detection, and flow cytometry was performed for cell apoptosis detection. Western blot was conducted to determine the expression levels of the downstream proteins of the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway, FAN1 and BRCA2.

RESULTS

The FA pathway was suppressed in U87 cells after treatment with TMZ and Y15. Genes involved in this pathway, including FANCD2, were also down-regulated. FANCD2 knockdown could restrain viability and promote apoptosis of U87 cells, as well as enhancing the inhibitory effect of TMZ + Y15 treatment. FANCD2 could regulate the FA pathway as the protein expression levels of FAN1 and BRCA2 were modulated by FANCD2.

CONCLUSIONS

The FA pathway and FANCD2 are down-regulated in U87 cells treated with TMZ and Y15. FANCD2 down-regulation by TMZ + Y15 treatment suppressed growth of U87 cells through inhibiting the FA pathway.

The Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type-2(TRPV2) Ion Channels in Neurogenesis andGliomagenesis: Cross-Talk between TranscriptionFactors and Signaling Molecules

Recently, the finding of cancer stem cells in brain tumors has increased the possibilities for advancing new therapeutic approaches with the aim to overcome the limits of current available treatments. In addition, a role for ion channels, particularly of TRP channels, in developing neurons as well as in brain cancer development and progression have been demonstrated. Herein, we focus on the latest advancements in understanding the role of TRPV2, a Ca²⁺ permeable channel belonging to the TRPV subfamily in neurogenesis and gliomagenesis. TRPV2 has been found to be expressed in both neural progenitor cells and glioblastoma stem/progenitor-like cells (GSCs). In developing neurons, post-translational modifications of TRPV2 (e.g., phosphorylation by ERK2) are required to stimulate Ca²⁺ signaling and nerve growth factor-mediated neurite outgrowth. TRPV2 overexpression also promotes GSC differentiation and reduces gliomagenesis in vitro and in vivo. In glioblastoma, TRPV2 inhibits survival and proliferation, and induces Fas/CD95-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, by proteomic analysis, the identification of a TRPV2 interactome-based signature and its relation to glioblastoma progression/recurrence, high or low overall survival and drug resistance strongly suggest an important role of the TRPV2 channel as a potential biomarker in glioblastoma prognosis and therapy.

Ca2+-Dependent Transcriptional Repressors KCNIP and Regulation of Prognosis Genes in Glioblastoma

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most aggressive and lethal primary astrocytic tumors in adults, with very poor prognosis. Recurrence in GBM is attributed to glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSLCs). The behavior of the tumor, including proliferation, progression, invasion, and significant resistance to therapies, is a consequence of the self-renewing properties of the GSLCs, and their high resistance to chemotherapies have been attributed to their capacity to enter quiescence. Thus, targeting GSLCs may constitute one of the possible therapeutic challenges to significantly improve anti-cancer treatment regimens for GBM. Ca²⁺ signaling is an important regulator of tumorigenesis in GBM, and the transition from proliferation to quiescence involves the modification of the kinetics of Ca²⁺ influx through store-operated channels due to an increased capacity of the mitochondria of quiescent GSLC to capture Ca²⁺. Therefore, the identification of new therapeutic targets requires the analysis of the calcium-regulated elements at transcriptional levels. In this review, we focus onto the direct regulation of gene expression by KCNIP proteins (KCNIP1–4). These proteins constitute the class E of Ca²⁺ sensor family with four EF-hand Ca²⁺-binding motifs and control gene transcription directly by binding, via a Ca²⁺-dependent mechanism, to specific DNA sites on target genes, called downstream regulatory element (DRE). The presence of putative DRE sites on genes associated with unfavorable outcome for GBM patients suggests that KCNIP proteins may contribute to the alteration of the expression of these prognosis genes. Indeed, in GBM, KCNIP2 expression appears to be significantly linked to the overall survival of patients. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the quiescent GSLCs with respect to Ca²⁺ signaling and discuss how Ca²⁺via KCNIP proteins may affect prognosis genes expression in GBM. This original mechanism may constitute the basis of the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Identification of a DNA Repair-Related Multigene Signature as a Novel Prognostic Predictor of Glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an extremely challenging malignancy to treat. Although temozolomide (TMZ) is a standard treatment regimen, many patients with GBM develop chemoresistance. The aim of this study was to identify a DNA repair-related gene signature to better stratify patients treated with TMZ.

METHODS

We selected 89 cases of primary GBM (pGBM) from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas RNA-seq dataset as the training cohort, whereas The Cancer Genome Atlas RNA-seq and Gene Set Enrichment (GSE) 16011 mRNA array sets were used as validation cohorts. Regression analysis and linear risk score assessment were performed to build a DNA repair-related signature. We used Kaplan-Meier analysis to evaluate the predictive value of the signature for overall survival (OS) in the different groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine whether the 5-gene signature could independently predict OS.

RESULTS

Using our 5-gene signature panel of APEX1, APRT, PARP2, PMS2L2, and POLR2L, we divided patients with pGBM into high- and low-risk groups. Patients with a low-risk score were predicted to have favorable survival and greater benefit from TMZ therapy compared with patients from the high-risk group (P < 0.05). Moreover, receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the multigene signature was the most sensitive and specific model for survival prediction (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with pGBM, classification based on a risk score determined using a 5-gene panel indicated different OS and reaction to TMZ. The findings in this study demonstrate that this unique 5-gene signature could be a novel model to predict OS and provide accurate therapy for patients with pGBM.

A TRPV2 interactome-based signature for prognosis in glioblastoma patients

Proteomics aids to the discovery and expansion of protein-protein interaction networks, which are key to understand molecular mechanisms in physiology and physiopathology, but also to infer protein function in a guilt-by-association fashion. In this study we use a systematic protein-protein interaction membrane yeast two-hybrid method to expand the interactome of TRPV2, a cation channel related to nervous system development. After validation of the interactome in silico, we define a TRPV2-interactome signature combining proteomics with the available physio-pathological data in Disgenet to find interactome-disease associations, highlighting nervous system disorders and neoplasms. The TRPV2-interactome signature against available experimental data is capable of discriminating overall risk in glioblastoma multiforme prognosis, progression, recurrence, and chemotherapy resistance. Beyond the impact on glioblastoma physiopathology, this study shows that combining systematic proteomics with in silico methods and available experimental data is key to open new perspectives to define novel biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics in disease.