Profiling chimeric RNA in prostate cancer in Chinese cohorts reveals similarities and differences compared to Western populations

Chimeric RNAs from chromosomal rearrangements have long been validated as cancer markers and therapeutic targets for many years. Recently, trans-splicing and cis-splicing between adjacent genes are also shown to generate chimeric RNAs. They influence tumor progression by coding fusion proteins, acting as long noncoding or circular RNAs, or altering parental gene expression. Here, we analyzed chimeric RNAs from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Chinese Prostate Cancer Genome and Epigenome Atlas, identifying similarities and differences between Western and Chinese prostate cancer (PCa) cohorts. We confirmed distinct chimeric RNA expression patterns among cancer epithelial cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, and T cells. We unraveled how these chimeras impact tumor cell growth, stromal cell transformation, and intercellular communication within the microenvironment. This comprehensive study establishes a chimeric transcriptome atlas for Chinese PCa patients, highlights population-specific disparities, and presents validated chimeric RNAs with diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential.