AL16431.1 is identified as a biomarker for bladder cancer progression and immunotherapy response

Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 7;15(1):1170. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-82425-4.

Abstract

LncRNA AL161431.1 is currently known as a factor that can promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition. However, its role in the prognosis, immune infiltration and progression of bladder cancer (BLCA)patients is still unclear. The expression of AL161431.1 is elevated in BLCA tissues compared to normal tissues according to the TCGA database. By combining this data with clinical information, patients with high AL161431.1 expression have more advanced clinicopathological stages and shorter survival periods. Furthermore, AL161431.1 was identified as an independent prognostic factor for bladder cancer. We further analyzed the differences in immune infiltration, tumor mutation burden (TMB), immune checkpoints, and sensitivity to immunotherapy between groups with different levels of AL161431.1 expression. Enrichment analysis demonstrated that AL161431.1 is associated with numerous immune signaling pathways. High expression of AL161431.1 in cancer tissues was confirmed by qRT-PCR. CCK8, transwell, and wound healing demonstrated the oncogenic effects of AL161431.1. In conclusion, AL161431.1 is associated with immune infiltration in bladder cancer and has the potential to become a biomarker for predicting the prognosis of BLCA.

Keywords: Bladder cancer; Diagnosis; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT); LncRNA AL161431.1; Tumor immune microenvironment; Tumor mutation burden (TMB).

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Disease Progression*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy* / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* / therapy

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • RNA, Long Noncoding