Key molecules in bladder cancer affect patient prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy: further exploration for CNTN1 and EMP1

Abstract Bladder cancer (BCa) is the most common male neoplastic disease, and its pathogenesis has not been fully explained. In this study, 5 key molecules, including CNTN1, MAP1A, EMP1, MFAP5, and PTGIS, were identified as key genes in the progression of BCa, and their riskScore was constructed. We found these five key genes to be significantly correlated with patient prognosis and immune checkpoint molecules, and the riskScore had a surprisingly accurate ability to predict patient prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy. Among the high-risk groups identified by the riskScore, patient prognosis and immunotherapy effect were significantly worse than the others. In summary, we proved that 5 key genes were able to impact the prognosis of BCa, TME immune infiltration, and the efficacy of immunotherapy, and the riskScore tool we constructed will contribute to the development of individualized treatment for BCa.