Identification and Validation of RNA Binding Protein-associated Prognostic Model for Neuroblastoma

Abstract Background: The abnormal expression of RNA binding protein (RBP) may be related to the development and progress of cancer. However, little is known about the mechanism of RBP in neuroblastoma (NB). Methods: We downloaded the RNA expression data of NB and normal nervous tissues from the (TARGET) database and GTEx database, and determined the differential expression of RBP between normal and cancerous tissues. Then the function and prognostic value of these RBPs were systematically studied. Results: A total of 348 differentially expressed RBPs were identified, together with 166 up-regulated RBPs and 182 down-regulated RBPs. Two hub RBPs (CPEB3 and CTU1) were identified as prognostic-related genes and chose to build prognostic risk score models. Further analysis showed that based on this model, the overall survival rate of patients in the high-risk subgroup was lower (P=2.152e-04). The area under the curve(AUC) of the receiver-operator characteristic curve(ROC) of the prognostic model is 0.720 in the TARGET cohort. There is a significant difference in the survival rate of patients in the high and low risk subgroups in the validation data set GSE85047 (P = 0.1237e-08), the AUC is 0.730. Conclusions: RNA binding protein (CPEB3 and CTU1) can be used as molecular markers of NB.