Genomic Analysis of Glioblastoma Multiforme Reveals a Key Transcription Factor Signature Relevant to Prognosis and the Immune Processes

INTRODUCTION: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) develops through the accumulation of both genetic and expression alterations. Although many gene signatures have been developed as prognostic and predictive biomarkers, their robustness and functional aspects are less well characterized. The expression of most genes is regulated by transcription factors (TFs); therefore, we aimed to investigate a TF signature relevant to GBM prognosis. METHODS: We used bioinformatic methods and data from public databases to establish four clusters of key TF genes, among which cluster 1, comprising 24 TFs, showed significant prognostic value. Further in silico functional analyses were applied to investigate the utility of the TF signature. RESULTS: Different mutation and copy number variation patterns were observed between different risk score groups (based on the TF signature). In silico analyses suggested that the cases with relative high risk scores were involved in immune and inflammatory processes or pathways. CONCLUSION: The TF signature has significant prognostic value in different cohorts or subgroups of patients with GBM and could lead to the development immunotherapy for GBM.