Characterization of a Pyroptosis-Related lncRNA signature to evaluate immune features and predict prognosis in Lower-grade glioma

Lower-grade gliomas (LGGs), primarily affecting younger populations, pose a unique challenge in oncological treatment due to their diverse genetic and molecular profiles. Pyroptosis, a specialized form of programmed cell death different from apoptosis, plays a crucial role in cancer pathogenesis by causing cell lysis and inflammation, thereby affecting tumor behavior. This study focuses on the prognostic importance of pyroptosis-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in LGGs, aiming to provide new perspectives for individualized therapy. The research involved bioinformatic and statistical analyses of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA). It includes the collection of RNA-seq expression data from TCGA and CGGA databases, identification of prognostic pyroptosis-related lncRNAs through Pearson correlation and Cox regression analysis, and construction of a Prognostic LncRNA Pyroptosis Score (PLPS) using LASSO regression. The study also encompasses functional enrichment analysis using GO and GSEA, immune characteristics evaluation using various algorithms, and analysis of the genetic landscape in different PLPS subgroups. The study identified 18 pyroptosis-related lncRNAs with significant prognostic value in LGG patients. From these, a PLPS was developed, based on 8 selected lncRNAs, to predict the overall survival of LGG patients. Patients were classified into low-risk and high-risk groups according to the PLPS, allowing an evaluation of their prognoses and clinical molecular features. The study also investigated the immune infiltration status and genomic variations of these patients. The research demonstrated the potential of the identified lncRNAs as biomarkers for personalized treatment strategies in LGG. The findings revealed a complex interaction between pyroptosis, lncRNAs, and tumor biology in LGGs, highlighting the importance of pyroptosis in tumor progression. This study not only contributes significantly to our understanding of LGG pathogenesis and treatment but also opens new pathways for developing targeted therapies based on individual molecular profiles. The results underscore the potential for more effective, personalized treatment approaches in oncology, particularly in the context of LGG.