Lipid metabolic gene-wide profile and signature of lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract Background Lung cancer is a worldwide cancer with high morbidity and mortality. More and more evidence shows that the disorder of lipid metabolism is the key to the development of cancer, and analysis of lipid-related genes may lead to diagnosis and prognostic biomarkers related to lung cancer. Methods In this study, we performed the differentially expressed analysis of 1045 lipid metabolism-related genes between LUAD tumors and normal tissues in the TCGA-LUAD cohort. Then the bioinformatic analysis of DEGs was showed. PPI networks and cytoHubba APP determine hub genes. The association between hub genes and overall survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier Plotter. To predict the prognosis of LUAD patients, a nomogram was built, the nomogram was validated by another cohort (GSE13213). Results Finally, a total of 217 lipid metabolism-related DEGs were detected in LUAD. They were significantly enriched in Glycerophospholipid metabolism, fatty acid metabolic process, and Eicosanoid Signaling. Then we identified 6 hub genes through PPI network and cytoHubba, including INS, LPL, HPGDS, DGAT1, UGT1A6, and CYP2C9. The high expression of CYP2C9, UGT1A6, and INS, whereas low expressions of DGAT1, HPGDS, and LPL, were associated with worse OS for 1925 LUAD patients. Based on the nomogram, we found that the high-risk score group had a worse OS, and the validated cohort had the same result. Conclusion In conclusion, we generated a lipid metabolic transcriptome-wide profile of LUAD patients and found that significant lipid metabolic pathways were correlated with the LUAD. Furthermore, we constructed a signature of six lipid metabolic genes, which significantly associated with diagnosis and prognosis of LUAD patients. The gene signature can be used as a biomarker for LUAD.