Molecular subtype identification and prognosis stratification based on lysosome-related genes in breast cancer.

Background: Lysosomes are known to have a significant impact on the development and recurrence of breast cancer. However, the association between lysosome-related genes (LRGs) and breast cancer remains unclear. This study aims to explore the potential role of LRGs in predicting the prognosis and treatment response of breast cancer.

Methods: Breast cancer gene expression profile data and clinical information were downloaded from TCGA and GEO databases, and prognosis-related LRGs were screened for consensus clustering analysis. Lasso Cox regression analysis was used to construct risk features derived from LRGs, and immune cell infiltration, immune therapy response, drug sensitivity, and clinical pathological feature differences were evaluated for different molecular subtypes and risk groups. A nomogram based on risk features derived from LRGs was constructed and evaluated.

Results: Our study identified 176 differentially expressed LRGs that are associated with breast cancer prognosis. Based on these genes, we divided breast cancer into two molecular subtypes with significant prognostic differences. We also found significant differences in immune cell infiltration between these subtypes. Furthermore, we constructed a prognostic risk model consisting of 7 LRGs, which effectively divides breast cancer patients into high-risk and low-risk groups. Patients in the low-risk group have better prognostic characteristics, respond better to immunotherapy, and have lower sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs, indicating that the low-risk group is more likely to benefit from immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Additionally, the risk score based on LRGs is significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration, including CD8 T cells and macrophages. This risk score model, along with age, chemotherapy, clinical stage, and N stage, is an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer. Finally, the nomogram composed of these factors has excellent performance in predicting overall survival of breast cancer.

Conclusions: In conclusion, this study has constructed a novel LRG-derived breast cancer risk feature, which performs well in prognostic prediction when combined with clinical pathological features.