Construction of DNA replication stress gene related risk model and for prognosis in bladder cancer

Abstract

Bladder cancer (BLCA) remains a widespread and serious cancer globally. The importance of constructing predictive risk models based on DNA replication stress-related genes (DRSGs) is gaining traction. Despite the scarcity of molecular studies, our analysis of Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets led to the identification of 17 DEDRSGs with prognostic significance, primarily involved in DNA replication and cell cycle control. Subsequently, utilizing LASSO regression, we filtered out nine key biomarkers to develop a risk model that effectively distinguishes immunological profiles and GSVA hallmark pathways across risk strata. Besides, significant differences were observed in the distribution of 191 drugs across the two risk groups. Finally, qRT-PCR was performed to confirmed that BUB1B was significantly highly expressed in 5637 cells line, while the expression level of RAD9A was higher in SV-HUC-1 cell line. In conclusion, the risk model, based on the nine biomarkers, offers a theoretical framework for exploring underlying molecular mechanisms in BLCA.