Data-driven analysis to identify prognostic immune-related biomarkers in BRAF mutated cutaneous melanoma microenvironment

Skin cutaneous melanoma is one of the deadly diseases, and more than 50% of the patients have BRAF gene mutations. Evidence suggests that oncogenic BRAF modulates the immune system’s ability to recognize SKCM cells. Due to the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and a lack of a rational mechanistic basis, it is urgent to investigate the immune infiltration and identify prognostic biomarkers in BRAF mutated SKCM patients. Multiple methods including ESTIMATE algorithm, differential gene analysis, prognostic analysis and immune infiltration analysis were performed to investigate the tumor microenvironment. Based on the patient’s immune score and stromal score, immune-related genes DEGs were identified. Functional analysis revealed that these genes were mainly enriched in biological processes such as immune response, defense response and positive regulation of immune system. Furthermore, we analyzed the immune infiltrating cell components of BRAF mutated patients and revealed 4 hub genes associated with overall survival time. Several cells (Monocyte, Macrophage and Gamma delta cells) have been found to be significantly decreased in immune-high BRAF mutated SKCM group. While CD4(+)T, CD8(+)T, CD4 naïve, Tr1, Th2 and many T cell subsets were significantly increased in immune-high group. These immune cells and genes were closely related to each other. This study revealed that the dysregulation of immune function and immune cells may contribute to the poor outcomes of BRAF mutated patients. It is of great significance to our further understanding of the TME and immune dysfunction in BRAF mutated SKCM.