Characterization of 7-Methylguanosine Identified Biochemical Recurrence and Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Prostate Cancer

The functions and mechanisms of RNA modification in prostate: Current status and future perspectives

The increasing incidence and mortality of prostate cancer worldwide significantly impact the life span of male patients, emphasizing the urgency of understanding its pathogenic mechanism and associated molecular changes that regulate tumor progression for effective prevention and treatment. RNA modification, an important post-transcriptional regulatory process, profoundly influences tumor cell growth and metabolism, shaping cell fate. Over 170 RNA modification methods are known, with prominent research focusing on N6-methyladenosine, N7-methylguanosine, N1-methyladenosine, 5-methylcytidine, pseudouridine, and N4-acetylcytidine modifications. These alterations intricately regulate coding and non-coding RNA post-transcriptionally, affecting the stability of RNA and protein expression levels. This article delves into the latest advancements and challenges associated with various RNA modifications in prostate cancer tumor cells, tumor microenvironment, and core signaling molecule androgen receptors. It aims to provide new research targets and avenues for molecular diagnosis, treatment strategies, and improvement of the prognosis in prostate cancer.

M7G-related tumor immunity: novel insights of RNA modification and potential therapeutic targets

RNA modifications play a pivotal role in regulating cellular biology by exerting influence over distribution features and molecular functions at the post-transcriptional level. Among these modifications, N7-methylguanosine (m7G) stands out as one of the most prevalent. Over recent years, significant attention has been directed towards understanding the implications of m7G modification. This modification is present in diverse RNA molecules, including transfer RNAs, messenger RNAs, ribosomal RNAs, and other noncoding RNAs. Its regulation occurs through a series of specific methyltransferases and m7G-binding proteins. Notably, m7G modification has been implicated in various diseases, prominently across multiple cancer types. Earlier studies have elucidated the significance of m7G modification in the context of immune biology regulation within the tumor microenvironment. This comprehensive review culminates in a synthesis of findings related to the modulation of immune cells infiltration, encompassing T cells, B cells, and various innate immune cells, all orchestrated by m7G modification. Furthermore, the interplay between m7G modification and its regulatory proteins can profoundly affect the efficacy of diverse adjuvant therapeutics, thereby potentially serving as a pivotal biomarker and therapeutic target for combinatory interventions in diverse cancer types.

A novel m7G regulator-based methylation patterns in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abnormal RNA N7-methylguanosine (m7G) modification is known to contribute to effects on tumor occurrence and development. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of its function in immunoregulation, tumor microenvironment (TME) modulation, and tumor promotion remain largely unknown. A series of computer-aided bioinformatic analyses were conducted based on transcriptomic, single-cell sequence, and spatial transcriptomic data to determine the m7G modification patterns in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Consensus clustering approach was employed according to the expressions of 33 m7G regulators. ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and single sample gene set enrichment analysis algorithms were adopted to investigate the immune cell infiltration features. A prognostic model named m7Gscore was established. Seurat, SingleR, and Monocle2 were used to analyze the single-cell sequence profiling. STUtility was used to integrate multiple spatial transcriptomic datasets. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, transwell, and wound-healing assay were performed to verify the oncogenes. Here, three different m7G modification patterns were highlighted in HNSCC patients, which were also related to various clinical manifestations and three representative immunophenotypes: immune-excluded, immune-desert, and inflamed, separately. Patients with lower m7Gscore were highlighted by higher immune cell infiltrations, better overall survival rates, lesser tumor mutation burden (TMB), lower sensitivities to target inhibitors therapies, and better immunotherapeutic response. Moreover, DCPS, EIF4E, EIF4E2, LSM1, NCBP2, NUDT1, and NUDT5 were identified to play critical roles in T-cell differentiation. Knockdown of LSM1/NUDT5 could restrain the malignancy of HNSCC cells. Collectively, quantitative assessment of m7G modification patterns in individual HNSCC patients could contribute to identifying more efficient immunotherapeutic approaches and improve the clinical outcome of HNSCC.

Epigenetic regulation in the tumor microenvironment: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets

Over decades, researchers have focused on the epigenetic control of DNA-templated processes. Histone modification, DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, RNA modification, and noncoding RNAs modulate many biological processes that are crucial to the development of cancers. Dysregulation of the epigenome drives aberrant transcriptional programs. A growing body of evidence suggests that the mechanisms of epigenetic modification are dysregulated in human cancers and might be excellent targets for tumor treatment. Epigenetics has also been shown to influence tumor immunogenicity and immune cells involved in antitumor responses. Thus, the development and application of epigenetic therapy and cancer immunotherapy and their combinations may have important implications for cancer treatment. Here, we present an up-to-date and thorough description of how epigenetic modifications in tumor cells influence immune cell responses in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and how epigenetics influence immune cells internally to modify the TME. Additionally, we highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators for cancer immunotherapy. Harnessing the complex interplay between epigenetics and cancer immunology to develop therapeutics that combine thereof is challenging but could yield significant benefits. The purpose of this review is to assist researchers in understanding how epigenetics impact immune responses in the TME, so that better cancer immunotherapies can be developed.

Epigenetic Modifications in Prostate Cancer Metastasis and Microenvironment

The gradual evolution of prostate tissue from benign tumor to malignant lesion or distant metastasis is driven by intracellular epigenetic changes and the tumor microenvironment remodeling. With the continuous study of epigenetic modifications, these tumor-driving forces are being discovered and are providing new treatments for cancer. Here we introduce the classification of epigenetic modification and highlight the role of epigenetic modification in tumor remodeling and communication of the tumor microenvironment.

M7G-related molecular subtypes can predict the prognosis and correlate with immunotherapy and chemotherapy responses in bladder cancer patients

BACKGROUND

N7-methylguanosine (m7G) is closely associated with tumor prognosis and immune response in many cancer types. The correlation between m7G and bladder cancer (BC) needs further study. We aimed to orchestrate molecular subtypes and identify key genes for BC from the perspective of m7G.

METHODS

RNA-seq and clinical data of BC patients were extracted from TCGA and GSE13507 datasets. The patients were subtyped by "ConsensusClusterPlus" and "limma." The clusters were validated by the Kaplan‒Meier curves, univariable and multivariate Cox regression models, the concordance index, and calibration curves. The immunotherapy response was evaluated by immune checkpoints, immune infiltration, TIDE score, and IMvigor210 cohort. Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer was utilized to predict the chemotherapy response between the clusters.

RESULTS

The m7G-related cluster was ultimately established by EIF4G1, NUDT11, NUDT10, and CCNB1. The independent prognostic value of the m7G-related cluster was validated by the TCGA and GSE13507 datasets. The cluster was involved in immune-associated pathways, such as neutrophil degranulation, antigen processing cross-presentation, and signaling by interleukins pathways. Meanwhile, cluster 2 was positively correlated with many immune checkpoints, such as CD274, CTLA4, HAVCR2, LAG3, PDCD1, and PDCD1LG2. The cluster 2 was significantly correlated with a higher TIDE score than the cluster 1. Furthermore, in the IMvigor210 cohort, patients in the cluster 1 had a higher response rate than those in the cluster 2. Patients in the cluster 2 were sensitive to many chemotherapies.

CONCLUSIONS

We successfully determined molecular subtypes and identified key genes for BC from the perspective of m7G, thereby providing a roadmap for the evolution of immunotherapy and precision medicine.

m6A/ m1A /m5C/m7G-related methylation modification patterns and immune characterization in prostate cancer

Methylation has a close relationship with immune reactions, metastasis, and cancer cell growth. Additionally, RNA methylation-related proteins have emerged as potential cancer therapeutic targets. The connection between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and methylation-related genes (MRGs) remains unclear. We explored the expression patterns of the MRGs in the genome and transcriptional fields of 796 prostate cancer (PCa) samples using two separate data sets. We identified a relationship between patient clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, TME cell infiltrating qualities, and different MRG changes, as well as the identification of two distinct molecular groupings. Then, we formed an MRGs model to predict overall survival (OS), and we tested the accuracy of the model in patients with PCa. In addition, we developed a very accurate nomogram to improve the MRG model’s clinical applicability. The low-risk group had fewer tumor mutational burden (TMB), greater tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) ratings, fewer mutant genes, and better OS prospects. We discuss how MGRs may affect the prognosis, clinically important traits, TME, and immunotherapy responsiveness in PCa. In order to get a better understanding of MRGs in PCa, we could further explore the prognosis and create more effective immunotherapy regimens to open new avenues.