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Li CW, Shi X, Ma B, Wang YL, Lu ZW, Liao T, Wang Y, Ji QH, Wei WJ. A 4 Gene-based Immune Signature Predicts Dedifferentiation and Immune Exhaustion in Thyroid Cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:e3208-e3220. [PMID: 33656532 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The role of immune-related genes (IRGs) in thyroid cancer dedifferentiation and accompanying immune exhaustion remains largely unexplored. OBJECTIVE To construct a significant IRG-based signature indicative of dedifferentiation and immune exhaustion in thyroid cancer. DESIGN AND SETTINGS One exploratory cohort and 2 validation cohorts were used to identify stably dysregulated IRGs in dedifferentiated thyroid cancer (DDTC) and to obtain independent risk factors for dedifferentiation. The IRGs formed a gene signature, whose predictive value was tested by the receiver operating characteristic curve. Correlations between the signature and differentiation-related genes, immune checkpoints, and prognosis were analyzed. Gene set enrichment analyses were performed to identify related signaling pathways. RESULTS Four IRGs (PRKCQ, PLAUR, PSMD2, and BMP7) were found to be repeatedly dysregulated in DDTC, and they formed an IRG-based signature with a satisfactory predictive value for thyroid cancer dedifferentiation. Correlation analyses revealed that immune checkpoints were closely related to the 4 IRGs and the IRG-based signature, which was significantly associated with the histological subtype (P = 0.026), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.001), and BRAFV600E mutation (P < 0.001). The downregulated expression of PRKCQ shortened the disease-free survival for patients with thyroid cancer. Furthermore, we identified several signaling pathways inherently associated with the IRG-based signature. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that IRGs participate in the dedifferentiation and immune exhaustion process of thyroid cancer and are potential biomarkers for DDTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui-Wei Li
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiao Shi
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ben Ma
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yu-Long Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhong-Wu Lu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Tian Liao
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qing-Hai Ji
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wen-Jun Wei
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
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