A robust ferroptosis-related gene signature predicts overall survival in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Aims: To investigate the prognostic values and potential mechanisms of ferroptosis-related genes in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Methods: Univariate Cox, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses were employed to identify prognosis-related hub ferroptosis-related genes and establish a prognostic model. Results: The authors established a novel clinical predictive model based on seven hub ferroptosis-related genes in The Cancer Genome Atlas training cohort (n = 374) that was verified in the testing cohort (n = 156) and the entire group (n = 530). Functional analysis indicated that several carcinogenic pathways were enriched. Tumor-infiltrating cells and immunosuppressive molecules were significantly different between the two risk groups. Conclusion: Collectively, the authors successfully constructed a novel ferroptosis-related risk signature that was significantly associated with the prognosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Lay abstract The incidence of and mortality associated with clear cell renal cell carcinoma are increasing year by year. Herein the authors conducted a study to investigate the potential role of ferroptosis-related genes in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The authors also built a ferroptosis-related gene model that could predict the prognosis and risk of clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients so as to facilitate individualized treatment of patients.