Integrative Multi-Omics Profiling of Rhabdomyosarcoma Subtypes Reveals Distinct Molecular Pathways and Biomarker Signatures.

Abstract

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common pediatric soft tissue sarcoma, comprises embryonal (ERMS) and alveolar (ARMS) subtypes with distinct histopathological features, clinical outcomes, and therapeutic responses. To better characterize their molecular distinctions, we performed untargeted plasma proteomics and metabolomics profiling in children with ERMS (n = 18), ARMS (n = 17), and matched healthy controls (n = 18). Differential expression, functional enrichment (GO, KEGG, RaMP-DB), co-expression network analysis (WGCNA/WMCNA), and multi-omics integration (DIABLO, MOFA) revealed distinct molecular signatures for each subtype. ARMS displayed elevated oncogenic and stemness-associated proteins (e.g., cyclin E1, FAP, myotrophin) and metabolites involved in lipid transport, fatty acid metabolism, and polyamine biosynthesis. In contrast, ERMS was enriched in immune-related and myogenic proteins (e.g., myosin-9, SAA2, S100A11) and metabolites linked to glutamate/glycine metabolism and redox homeostasis. Pathway analyses highlighted subtype-specific activation of PI3K-Akt and Hippo signaling in ARMS and immune and coagulation pathways in ERMS. Additionally, the proteomics and metabolomics datasets showed association with clinical parameters, including disease stage, lymph node involvement, and age, demonstrating clear molecular discrimination consistent with clinical observation. Co-expression networks and integrative analyses further reinforced these distinctions, uncovering coordinated protein-metabolite modules. Our findings reveal novel, subtype-specific molecular programs in RMS and propose candidate biomarkers and pathways that may guide precision diagnostics and therapeutic targeting in pediatric sarcomas.