Comprehensive analysis of the immunological implication and prognostic value of MEAK7 in non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

Background: The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)-associated protein Eak-7 homolog (MEAK7) is widely involved in the occurrence and development of various diseases, including tumors. However, the role of MEAK7 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its underlying mechanism in the tumor microenvironment remain unclear. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of MEAK7 in the prognosis of NSCLC.

Methods: The expression levels of MEAK7 were examined through the utilization of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the genotype-tissue expression project's pan-cancer dataset. Within this context, the relationships between MEAK7 expression and various clinical features, as well as patient outcomes, were assessed using a comprehensive array of bioinformatics resources. Additionally, the link between MEAK7 expression and the infiltration of immune cells was investigated employing CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE methodologies. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to determine immune responses. Finally, the patient response to immunotherapy was predicted using the Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) algorithm and immune checkpoint score.

Results: MEAK7 was highly expressed in many types of tumors including lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma. Elevated MEAK7 expression was found to correlate with several key characteristics, including sex, age, the presence of metastasis, and pathological staging, and was identified as a significant predictor of poor prognosis in individuals with lung cancer. Subsequent analyses revealed a positive association between heightened MEAK7 levels and the infiltration of immune cells, as well as the expression profiles of a variety of immune cell markers. MEAK7 was closely linked to the pathways involved in immune regulation. Interestingly, patients with elevated MEAK7 expression levels were sensitive to immunotherapy.

Conclusions: These findings provide compelling evidence that MEAK7 may be involved in the progression of lung cancer and become a potential therapeutic target.