Comprehensive analysis of disulfidptosis related genes and prognosis of gastric cancer

Machine learning-based integration develops a disulfidptosis-related lncRNA signature for improving outcomes in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers globally due to delayed detection and limited treatment options, underscoring the critical need for innovative prognostic methods. Disulfidptosis, a recently discovered programmed cell death triggered by disulphide stress, presents a fresh avenue for therapeutic exploration. This research examines disulfidptosis-related long noncoding RNAs (DRLs) in gastric cancer, with the goal of leveraging these lncRNAs as potential markers to enhance patient outcomes and treatment approaches. Comprehensive genomic and clinical data from stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Employing least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, a prognostic model was devised incorporating five key DRLs to forecast survival rates. The effectiveness of this model was validated using Kaplan-Meier survival plots, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and extensive functional enrichment studies. The importance of select lncRNAs and the expression variability of genes tied to disulfidptosis were validated via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot tests, establishing a solid foundation for their prognostic utility. Analyses of functional enrichment and tumour mutation burden highlighted the biological importance of these DRLs, connecting them to critical cancer pathways and immune responses. These discoveries broaden our comprehension of the molecular framework of gastric cancer and bolster the development of tailored treatment plans, highlighting the substantial role of DRLs in clinical prognosis and therapeutic intervention.

Prognostic value of disulfidptosis-associated genes in gastric cancer: a comprehensive analysis

Objective

Disulfidptosis is a newly identified type of nonapoptotic programmed cell death related to mechanisms such as ferroptosis, cuproptosis, pyroptosis, and necrotic apoptosis. This study explores the role of disulfidptosis-related long non-coding RNAs (DRLs) in gastric cancer and their potential as prognostic biomarkers.

Method

We developed a prognostic model using DRL scores to classify patients based on disulfidptosis activity. We evaluated these scores for correlations with drug sensitivity, tumor microenvironment (TME) features, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and prognosis. Potential disulfidptosis-related signaling pathways were screened, identifying FRMD6-AS as a promising therapeutic target. FRMD6-AS expression was further validated using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR).

Results

The DRL-based prognostic model, established through univariate and multivariate Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses, outperformed traditional models in predicting prognosis. We divided samples into high-risk and low-risk groups based on DRL scores, finding that the low-risk group had a significantly higher survival rate (P < 0.05). A high-precision prediction model incorporating DRL scores, age, sex, grade, and stage showed strong predictive value and consistency with actual outcomes. High DRL scores correlated with higher TME scores and lower TMB. Key signaling axes identified were AC129507.1/(FLNA, TLN1)/FOCAL ADHESION and AC107021.2/MYH10/(TIGHT JUNCTION, VIRAL MYOCARDITIS, REGULATION OF ACTIN CYTOSKELETON). Potentially effective drugs, including BMS-754807, dabrafenib, and JQ1, were identified. FRMD6-AS emerged as a potential target for gastric cancer treatment.

Conclusions

This study developed a novel prognostic model for gastric cancer using DRLs, identifying two key signaling axes related to prognosis. JQ1 may be an effective treatment, and FRMD6-AS could be a promising therapeutic target.

Advances in the study of disulfidptosis in digestive tract tumors

Disulfidptosis, a recently identified cell death mechanism, plays a pivotal role in the development, progression, and treatment of digestive tract tumors, including gastric cancer, hepatocellular cancer, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and neuroendocrine tumors, which have high global incidence and mortality rates. Analyzing the expression of disulfidptosis-related gene expression within the tumor microenvironment enhances our understanding of tumor biology and facilitates novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Research on immune infiltration and checkpoints can identify therapeutic targets linked to disulfidptosis, thereby improving immunotherapy efficacy. Targeting genes such as SLC7A11, which are essential for maintaining glutathione levels and regulating oxidative stress, may overcome chemoresistance and enhance existing treatments. Disulfidptosis could complement current therapies as it induces cytoskeletal collapse and selective tumor cell death, especially in chemoresistant cancers. Additionally, genes like SLC7A11, RPN1, and NCKAP1 in gastric cancer correlate with poor prognosis, highlighting their potential as prognostic biomarkers. Personalized medicine approaches utilizing disulfidptosis-related biomarkers could identify patients who would benefit from therapies targeting oxidative stress regulation, leading to more precise treatments and improved outcomes. This review summarizes disulfidptosis mechanisms, advancements in digestive cancers, and the potential of related genes for prognosis, immune response evaluation, and targeted therapies, providing novel perspectives for diagnosis and personalized treatment.

Role of disulfide death in cancer (Review)

The research field of regulated cell death is growing extensively. Following the recognition of ferroptosis, other unique and distinct forms of regulated cell death, including cuproptosis and disulfide death, have been identified. Disulfide death occurs due to the abnormal accumulation of disulfides within cells in environments lacking glucose, leading to contraction of the actin cytoskeleton, which ultimately triggers various signaling pathways and cell death. The induction of disulfide death in the treatment of cancer may exhibit significant therapeutic potential. Therefore, in the present review, a comprehensive and critical analysis of the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks of disulfide death is presented. In addition, the potential physiological functions of disulfide death in tumor suppression and immune surveillance as well as its pathological roles and therapeutic potential are described. The core focus areas for future research into this form of cell death are also explored. Given the current lack of extensive clinical findings and well-defined key concepts, these may be regarded as pivotal points of interest in future studies.