Immune-related genes with APA in microenvironment indicate risk stratification and clinical prognosis in grade II/III gliomas

Tumor microenvironment and alternative polyadenylation (APA) have drawn more attention in cancer research. However, their roles in grade II and III gliomas, termed as lower-grade glioma (LGG) in this study, remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we conducted this study and found that stromal and immune scores were elevated in higher grade and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type glioma. Besides, higher stromal and immune scores indicated a poor prognosis in patients with LGG. APA events in immune-related genes were associated with overall survival, RNA expression, IDH mutation, and disease-free survival. Patients in the high-risk group had poor prognoses, and the risk score could be used to predict the survival rate. The risk score was positively correlated with the expression of immune checkpoints, inflammatory cytokines, and infiltrated immune cells. Moreover, risk stratification could predict the efficacy of radiotherapy and provide a reference for the treatment of grade III glioma. Our study revealed that immune-related genes with APA events in the microenvironment could predict risk stratification and clinical prognosis in patients with LGG.
Graphical Abstract
This study revealed that alternative polyadenylation events of immune-related genes in the microenvironment could predict the risk stratification and prognosis of patients with lower-grade glioma. Risk stratification based on the risk signature could predict the efficacy of radiotherapy and provide a reference for the treatment of grade III glioma.