Comprehensive analysis of metabolism-related lncRNAs related to the progression and prognosis in osteosarcoma from TCGA

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma is one of the most common malignant neoplasms in children and adolescents. Studies have shown that metabolism-related pathways are vital for the development and metastasis of osteosarcoma. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a key role in the occurrence and progression of cancer in a variety of ways. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of metabolism-related lncRNA in osteosarcoma remain to be deeply elucidated. METHODS: In this study, all metabolism-related mRNAs and lncRNAs in osteosarcoma were extracted and identified based on transcriptomic data from the TCGA database. Usingsurvival analysis, univariate and multivariate independent prognostic analysis, gene set enrichment analysis, and nomogram, a prognostic signature with metabolic lncRNAs as prognostic factors was constructed. RESULTS: Nine prognostic factors included lncRNA AC009779.2, lncRNA AL591895.1, lncRNA AC026271.3, lncRNA LPP-AS2, lncRNA LINC01857, lncRNA AP005264.1, lncRNA LINC02454, lncRNA AL133338.1, and lncRNA AC135178.5, respectively. Survival analysis indicated that alterations of specific lncRNA expression were strongly correlated with poor prognosis in osteosarcoma. Univariate and multivariate independent prognostic analysis showed that the prognostic signature had a good independent predictive ability for patient survival. The results of GSEA suggested that these predictors may be involved in the metabolism of certain substances or energy in cancer. The nomogram was further drawn for clinical guidance and assistance in clinical decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified multiple metabolism-related lncRNAs, which may be novel therapeutic targets for osteosarcoma, and contributed to better explore the specific metabolic regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA in osteosarcoma. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-021-02647-4.