A new prognostic model based on 4 ferroptosis-related genes predicts overall survival (OS) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), according to research published in Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment.
The researchers aimed to explore the prognostic value of genes related to ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, in DLBCL.
The researchers used the Gene Expression Omnibus database to obtain mRNA expression and matching clinical data of patients with DLBCL. They built and validated Cox regression models and a multigene signature to predict the patients’ prognoses.
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The study included data from 240 patients in the training cohort and from 412 patients in the validation cohort. In a univariate Cox regression analysis, the researchers found that the expression levels of 27 genes were correlated with OS. They optimized the model using a stepwise approach. The final version included 4 ferroptosis-related genes.
They then constructed a multigene prognostic model with the 4 ferroptosis-related genes to stratify patients into high-low risk groups using a risk score derived from the model. The patients in the high-risk group had a shorter OS than those in the low-risk group in Tumor, Node, and Metastasis stage and clinically distinct subtypes (activated B cell and germinal center B cell; P <.001 in both the training cohort and validation cohort).
In a multivariate clinical cox regression model for OS, the researchers found that the risk score was an independent factor (hazard ratio, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.74-4.30; P <.010). They also demonstrated that ferroptosis prognosis status differed among the 3 DLBCL subtypes.
“In summary, we constructed a novel ferroptosis-related prognostic model in DLBCL patients,” concluded the researchers. “Solutions targeting ferroptosis could be an important therapeutic intervention for DLBCL.”
Limitations of the study included use of only the GEO public database and lack of confirmation of gene/protein expression levels using molecular techniques such as quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry.
Reference
Wu H, Zhang J, Fu L, et al. Identification and development of a 4-gene ferroptosis signature predicting overall survival for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Technol Cancer Res Treat. 2023;22:15330338221147772. doi:10.1177/15330338221147772
