Necroptosis-related lncRNA in lung adenocarcinoma: A comprehensive analysis based on a prognosis model and a competing endogenous RNA network

Background: Necroptosis, an innovative type of programmed cell death, involves the formation of necrosomes and eventually mediates necrosis. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that necroptosis plays a major role in the development of human cancer. However, the role of necroptosis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to construct an NRL-related prognostic model and comprehensively analyze the role of NRL in LUAD. Methods: A necroptosis-related lncRNA (NRL) signature was constructed in the training cohort and verified in the validation and all cohorts based on The Cancer Genome Atlas database. In addition, a nomogram was developed. The tumor microenvironment (TME), checkpoint, human leukocyte antigen, and m6A methylation levels were compared between low-risk and high-risk groups. Then, we identified five truly prognostic lncRNAs (AC107021.2, AC027117.1, FAM30A, FAM83A-AS1, and MED4-AS1) and constructed a ceRNA network, and four hub genes of downstream genes were identified and analyzed using immune, pan-cancer, and survival analyses. Results: The NRL signature could accurately predict the prognosis of patients with LUAD, and patients with low risk scores were identified with an obvious “hot” immune infiltration level, which was strongly associated with better prognosis. Based on the ceRNA network, we postulated that NRLs regulated the TME of patients with LUAD via cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) family proteins. Conclusion: We constructed an NRL signature and a ceRNA network in LUAD and found that NRLs may modulate the immune microenvironment of LUAD via CDK family proteins.