Prognostic value and drug sensitivity of FBXL6 in glioma

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Gliomas are highly malignant and invasive tumors that lack clear boundaries. Recent bioinformatics and experimental analyses have indicated that FBXL6, a protein crucial for the cell cycle and tumorigenesis, is highly expressed in certain tumors. This high expression of FBXL6 is thought to promote tumor growth and adversely affect patient survival. However, the molecular mechanism, prognostic value, and drug sensitivity of FBXL6 in gliomas still remain unclear. Methods To address these gaps, we conducted an extensive study on FBXL6 in gliomas, utilizing data from the TCGA and CGGA databases. Our analysis of FBXL6 mRNA expression, combined with factors such as age, sex, and tumor grade using the Kaplan-Meier plot and nomograms, revealed a strong correlation between FBXL6 expression and glioma progression. Co-expression networks provided further insights into FBXL6's biological functions. Additionally, using CIBERSORT and TISDB tools, we investigated FBXL6's correlation with tumor-infiltrating immune cells and immune genes, revealing significant interactions. Results We validated our findings by examining FBXL6 mRNA and protein levels in glioma tissues using various techniques, including Western blotting, RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry. This confirmed the significant role of FBXL6 in glioma progression. Furthermore, drug sensitivity analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between FBXL6 expression and various drugs, indicating that FBXL6 is a promising therapeutic target in glioma treatment. Conclusion Our comprehensive study identified FBXL6 as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with gliomas and highlights its critical role in glioma progression.