Validation of an Ultraviolet Light Response Gene Signature for Predicting Prognosis in Patients with Uveal Melanoma

Biomolecules. 2023 Jul 19;13(7):1148. doi: 10.3390/biom13071148.

Abstract

Uveal melanoma (UVM) is a highly aggressive ocular cancer with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis particularly for patients with liver metastasis. As such, the identification of new prognostic biomarkers is critical for developing effective treatment strategies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential of an ultraviolet light response gene signature to predict the prognosis of UVM patients. Our approach involved the development of a prognostic model based on genes associated with the cellular response to UV light. By employing this model, we generated risk scores to stratify patients into high- and low-risk groups. Furthermore, we conducted differential expression analysis between these two groups and explored the estimation of immune infiltration. To validate our findings, we applied our methodology to an independent UVM cohort. Through our study, we introduced a novel survival prediction tool and shed light on the underlying cellular processes within UVM tumors, emphasizing the involvement of immune subsets in tumor progression.

Keywords: bioinformatics; gene expression signatures; prognostic factors; uveal melanoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Eye / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Melanoma* / pathology
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Uveal Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Uveal Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Uveal Neoplasms* / pathology

Supplementary concepts

  • Uveal melanoma

Grants and funding

The APC was funded by the Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory at Texas A&M.