Development and Validation of a Novel PPAR Signaling Pathway-Related Predictive Model to Predict Prognosis in Breast Cancer

Abstract

This study is aimed at exploring the potential mechanism of the PPAR signaling pathway in breast cancer (BRCA) and constructing a novel prognostic-related risk model. We used various bioinformatics methods and databases to complete our exploration in this research. Based on TCGA database, we use multiple extension packages based on the R language for data conversion, processing, and statistics. We use LASSO regression analysis to establish a prognostic-related risk model in BRCA. And we combined the data of multiple online websites, including GEPIA, ImmuCellAI, TIMER, GDSC, and the Human Protein Atlas database to conduct a more in-depth exploration of the risk model. Based on the mRNA data in TCGA database, we conducted a preliminary screening of genes related to the PPAR signaling pathway through univariate Cox analysis, then used LASSO regression analysis to conduct a second screening, and successfully established a risk model consisting of ten genes in BRCA. The results of ROC curve analysis show that the risk model has good prediction accuracy. We can successfully divide breast cancer patients into high- and low-risk groups with significant prognostic differences ( $P=1.92e-05$ ) based on this risk model. Combined with the clinical data in TCGA database, there is a correlation between the risk model and the patient’s N, T, gender, and fustat. The results of multivariate Cox regression show that the risk score of this risk model can be used as an independent risk factor for BRCA patients. In particular, we draw a nomogram that can predict the 5-, 7-, and 10-year survival rates of BRCA patients. Subsequently, we conducted a series of pancancer analyses of CNV, SNV, OS, methylation, and immune infiltration for this risk model gene and used GDSC data to investigate drug sensitivity. Finally, to gain insight into the predictive value and protein expression of these risk model genes in breast cancer, we used GEO and HPA databases for validation. This study provides valuable clues for future research on the PPAR signaling pathway in BRCA.