Ferroptosis-Related Genes Play Important Role in Liver Hepatocellular Cancer and Stomach Adenocarcinoma

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School Affiliated Ruijin Hospital has shed light on the relationship between ferroptosis-related genes and overall survival in liver hepatocellular cancer (LIHC) and stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). The study found that ferroptosis inducer drugs can overcome resistance to cancer therapy caused by traditional chemicals.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ferroptosis-related genes, including AIFM2, GPX4, ACSL4, FTH1, NOS1, and PTGS2, are overexpressed in LIHC and STAD, and high levels of these genes are associated with better prognosis in LIHC.
  • However, GPX and FTH1 in STAD did not show significant correlations with overall survival, and AIFM2 in STAD had an opposite trend with overall survival compared to that in LIHC.
  • Genetic mutation of ferroptosis-related genes was correlated with shorter overall survival in LIHC patients, but not in STAD patients.
  • The study identified a high mutation rate of ferroptosis-related genes in LIHC patients, with 35.74% of patients exhibiting genetic mutations.
  • Enrichment analysis revealed that the respiratory electron transport chain, cell chemotaxis, and T-cell migration were related to ferroptosis.
  • The study also found that ASCL4 and PTGS2 coexpressed with cytokines associated with immune cell infiltration, and that combination therapy with As2O3 and RSL3 significantly inhibited the growth of Huh7 cells.

Statistics:

  • 35.74% of LIHC patients exhibited genetic mutations of ferroptosis-related genes.
  • The prognostic and antitumor roles of key ferroptosis-related genes in LIHC and STAD were studied through various databases, including UALCAN, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, and TIMER.
  • The study analyzed the expression levels of AIFM2, GPX4, ACSL4, FTH1, NOS1, and PTGS2 in LIHC and STAD patients using STRING and DAVID databases.
  • The association between overall survival and ferroptosis-related genes was studied using Kaplan-Meier Plotter database, revealing a significant correlation between high levels of these genes and better prognosis in LIHC.
  • The study found that combination therapy with As2O3 and RSL3 significantly inhibited the growth of Huh7 cells.

Sources:

  • The prognostic and antitumor roles of key genes of ferroptosis in liver hepatocellular cancer and stomach adenocarcinoma. Cancer Biomarkers, 2024, 39(4).
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology, Civil Aviation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.