Distinct prognostic values of mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidases in non-small cell lung cancer

Introduction: Glutathione peroxidases (GPxs) constitutes an enzyme family which has the ability to reduce free hydrogen peroxide to water and lipid hydroperoxides to their corresponding alcohols, and its main biological roles are to protect organisms from oxidative stress-induced damage. GPxs include eight members in different tissues of the body, and they play essential roles in carcinogenesis. However, the prognostic value of individual GPx in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains elusive.

Materials and methods: In the current study, we investigated the prognostic value of GPxs in NSCLC patients through the "Kaplan-Meier plotter" database, wherein updated gene expression data and survival information from a total of 1,926 NSCLC patients are included.

Results: High expression of GPx1 mRNA was correlated with worse overall survival (OS) in adenocarcinoma patients. High expression of GPx2 mRNA was correlated with worse OS for all NSCLC patients. In contrast, high expression of GPx3 mRNA was associated with better OS for all NSCLC patients. High expression of GPx4 mRNA was significantly correlated with worsening adenocarcinoma in these patients. GPx5 mRNA high expression correlated with worsening OS for all NSCLC patients.

Discussion: The current findings of prognostic values of individual mRNA expression of GPxs in NSCLC patients indicate some GPxs may have prognostic value in NSCLC patients, and this needs further study.