Construction of a prognostic model based on cuproptosis-related genes and exploration of the value of DLAT and DLST in the metastasis for non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Objective To reveal the clinical value of cuproptosis-related genes on prognosis and metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer. Method Gene expression profiles and clinical information of non-small cell lung cancer were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. The data were grouped into training set, internal testing set, and external testing set. A risk prognostic model was constructed by Lasso-Cox regression analysis. Hub genes were identified and evaluated using immunohistochemistry and the Transwell migration assay in 50 clinical patients. Results A total of 17/19 cuproptosis-related genes were differentially expressed in tumors, 8 were significantly associated with prognosis, and 4 were markedly associated with metastasis. A risk model based on two cuproptosis-related genes was constructed and validated for predicting overall survival. The risk score was proven to be an independent risk factor for the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer. DLAT and DLST, key genes in cuproptosis, were proven to be associated with non-small cell lung cancer prognosis and metastasis. Immunohistochemistry showed that their expression significantly predicted metastasis but failed to predict prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer patients. The transwell migration assay further increased the cellular reliability of our findings. Conclusion The cuproptosis-related genes prognostic model effectively predicted the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer. DLAT and DLST may serve as predictive markers for metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer.