Analysis of the prognostic significance and potential mechanisms of lncRNAs associated with m6A methylation in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract Background : m6A methylation-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a significant role in the progression of various tumors and can be used as prognostic markers. However, whether m6A-related lncRNAs also play the same function as prognostic markers in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains unclear. Methods : Consensus cluster analysis was performed to divide PTC samples obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database into two clusters according to the expression of m6A-related lncRNAs. Then, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was performed to create and verify a prognostic model. Furthermore, the relationship among risk scores, clusters, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), tumor microenvironment (TME), clinicopathological characteristics, immune infiltration, immune checkpoint, and tumor mutation burden (TMB) was analyzed. In addition, a nomogram was created, and subsequently, the drug sensitivity of lncRNAs in the prognostic model was analyzed. Finally, the relationship between these lncRNAs and prognosis in pan-cancer was investigated. Results: The prognosis, RAS, BRAF, M, and TME were found to be different in two clusters. The prognostic model included three lncRNAs: PSMG3-AS1 , BHLHE40-AS1 , and AC016747.3 . The risk score was associated with clusters, PD-L1, tumor microenvironment, clinicopathological characteristics, immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint, and TMB, and thus, risk score was confirmed as useful prognostic indicators. Differentially expressed lncRNAs are involved in many malignancies and can be identified as cancer prognostic makers. Conclusion : According to our research, we can regard m6A-related lncRNAs involved in the procession of PTC as a biomarker of PFS for PTC patients, and pan-cancer.