A prediction model of alternative splicing events reveals the prognostic predictors and immune microenvironment signatures in lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract

In tumor development and microenvironment formation, alternative splicing (AS) has become increasingly important. Nevertheless, the clinical significance of AS in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. A comprehensive assessment of AS events in 455 LUAD patients was performed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database in this study. Lasso and Cox regression analyses were performed to identify survival-related significant AS events. The tumor microenvironment was assessed using CIBERSORT, a single-sample gene set enrichment analysis, and the ESTIMATE software package. Fifteen AS events screened by Lasso regression were constructed to build a risk prediction model. <i>FAXDC2</i>, <i>CDKN2A</i>, and <i>LAMA3</i> were identified in this study. In addition, immune scores, stromal scores, and tumor purity in different risk groups were assessed. The risk score was also correlated with tumor infiltrating immune cells. This study suggests that AS events are associated with tumor development and the immune microenvironment, and three genes, <i>FAXDC2</i>, <i>CDKN2A</i>, and <i>LAMA3</i> are identified, which may be potential markers of prognosis in LUAD.