A Palmitoylation-Associated lncRNA Signature as a Prognostic Biomarker and Its Correlation With the Immune Microenvironment in Lung Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is recognized as the predominant subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), characterized by its aggressive behavior and notable capacity for metastasis. Recent studies have uncovered the significance of palmitoylation, a vital post-translational modification, in regulating biological functions such as cellular signaling and protein localization, suggesting its potential role in cancer biology. However, the implications of palmitoylation-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in LUAD pathology remain insufficiently characterized. METHODS: Utilizing publicly available datasets, we conducted an extensive bioinformatics analysis to evaluate the expression and prognostic significance of palmitoylation-associated lncRNAs in LUAD. Our analysis identified 13 lncRNAs as potential prognostic biomarkers. Specifically, we sought to develop a prognostic model based on these lncRNAs to improve our understanding of their contribution to LUAD prognosis. The robustness of the prognostic model was subsequently verified through survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve assessments. RESULTS: This study established a prognostic risk model based on 13 palmitoylation-related lncRNAs, demonstrating excellent predictive performance, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.743, 0.724, and 0.748 for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the model's risk score serves as an independent prognostic predictor, surpassing traditional clinicopathological features. Differential expression analysis and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) validation revealed significant downregulation of AL157895.1 in LUAD tissues and cell lines, whereas AL355472.3, SALRNA1, AL590666.4, AC026355.2, and LINC00862 were significantly upregulated. Importantly, low expression of AL157895.1 was strongly associated with poor patient prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the potential of palmitoylation-associated lncRNAs as independent prognostic markers for patients with LUAD, paving the way for more personalized treatment approaches. Future studies should further explore their biological mechanisms.