Analysis of the Correlation Between Metastasis-Related Genes and Immune Infiltration of Uveal Melanoma Using the Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis and Single Sample GSEA Algorithms

Abstract

Uveal melanoma is a rare variant of melanoma that primarily occurs in the uvea (including choroid, ciliary body and iris) of the eye. It readily metastasizes to distant organs, especially the liver. Currently, there is no effective treatment for metastatic UVM. Recent studies have revealed that there is an immunoinflammatory phenotype in the UVM microenvironment. Understanding the inflammatory process related to the growth of uveal melanoma and its metastasis may lead to new therapies. During the development of most solid tumors, immune cells and fibroblasts infiltrate into the tumor tissue, promote a tumor microenvironment, activate an immunosuppressive system that includes Treg cells by secreting cytokines, promote tumor angiogenesis, and provide convenient conditions for tumor development and metastasis. In this study, WGCNA analysis was used to identify the types of infiltrating cells in the UVM microenvironment. These included T cells, B cells, tumor-related fibroblasts, HSC, and macrophages. Of these, HSC are important infiltrating cells in UVM. They may be regulated by the cycle genes ANLN and FOXM1 and participate in the development and metastasis.