Identification of prognostic indicator based on hypoxia-related lncRNAs analysis in lung adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: There were no systematic studies about hypoxia-related long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) signatures to predict the survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Setting up matching hypoxia-related lncRNA signatures was necessary.

Objective: This study aimed to establish hypoxia-related lncRNAs signatures and to seek new biomarkers to predict the prognosis of the patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Methodology: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database provided the expression profiles of lncRNAs that includes 535 lung adenocarcinoma samples. The coexpression network of lncRNAs and hypoxia-related different expression genes (DEGs) was utilized to select hypoxia-related lncRNAs. The lncRNAs were further screened using univariate Cox regression. In addition, Lasso regression and multivariate Cox regression were used to develop a hypoxia-related lncRNAs signature. A risk score based on the signature was established, and Cox regression was used to test if it was an independent prognostic factor.

Results: Nine prognostic hypoxia-related lncRNAs (LINC01150, AC010980.2, AL606489.1, AL034397.3, LINC00460, LINC02081, FAM83AAS1, AL365181.2, and AC026355.1) were identified to be significantly different, which made up a hypoxia-related lncRNAs signature. The high-risk group had shorter OS compared with the low-risk group (P = 3.329e - 09, log-rank test). A risk score based on the signature was a significantly independent factor for the patients with LUAD (HR = 1.449, 95% CI = 1.312 - 1.602, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The nine hypoxia-related lncRNAs and their signature might be molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the patients with LUAD.