Work

Novel cuproptosis-related genes C1QBP and PFKP identified as prognostic and therapeutic targets in lung adenocarcinoma

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Excessive intracellular copper accumulation triggers cuproptosis, a novel regulated cell death process with therapeutic potential. Analyzing 566 The Cancer Genome Atlas samples alongside lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD)-specific microarray and single-cell sequencing data, we identified 109 cuproptosis-associated genes, of which C1QBP and PFKP emerged as key prognostic markers. Four-gene risk model stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups with distinct survival outcomes, where high-risk scores correlated with advanced TNM stages. Clinical validation confirmed that elevated C1QBP / PFKP expression in LUAD tissues predicted shorter progression-free survival. Functional assays demonstrated that silencing C1QBP or PFKP increased intracellular copper concentration, suppressed proliferation, and inhibited invasion, mechanistically linking these genes to cuproptosis dysregulation. Our findings nominate C1QBP / PFKP as actionable targets for LUAD therapy, offering both prognostic biomarkers and copper-metabolism-directed treatment strategies.

Source: Open Life Sciences

DOI: 10.1515/biol-2025-1142

Authors: Yanju Lv, Xiaozhuo Duan, Xueli Yuan

Institutions: Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Ferroptosis and cancer prognosis

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,373