Integrative transcriptomic analysis of Korean high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Abstract

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the predominant subtype of ovarian cancer and is characterized by a high rate of relapse after platinum-based chemotherapy. Herein, we present a comprehensive analysis of 111 Korean HGSOC samples using next-generation sequencing technology to elucidate their transcriptomic landscapes. Our investigation revealed the existence of four distinct transcriptional subtypes of ovarian cancer: immunoreactive, mesenchymal, proliferative, and differentiated, which is comparable to those of TCGA HGSOC transcriptional subgroups. Each subtype exhibited unique correlation networks and their immune cell composition was computationally determined. Notably, the immunoreactive cluster displayed the highest immune score, even in the context of pan solid-cancer types, accompanied by heightened expression of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (P < 0.05), along with notable associations with neutrophil degranulation and antigen presentation pathways (FDR < 0.01). Conversely, the differentiated cluster demonstrated immunodepleted characteristics, featuring an elevated proportion of overexpressed cancer-germline antigens. We also identified several cancer-germline HGSOC antigens that could be further investigated as potential targets for immunological intervention in cancer.