Malignant Evaluation and Clinical Prognostic Values of m6A RNA Methylation Regulators in Glioblastoma

Abstract

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation, the most common form of mRNA modification and regulated by the m6A RNA methylation regulators (“writers,” “erasers,” and “readers”), has been reported to be associated with the progression of the malignant tumor. However, its role in glioblastoma (GBM) has been poorly known. This study aimed to identify the expression, potential functions, and prognostic values of m6A RNA methylation regulators in GBM. Here, we revealed that the 13 central m6A RNA methylation regulators were firmly related to the clinical and molecular phenotype of GBM. Taking advantage of consensus cluster analysis, we obtained two categories of GBM samples and found malignancy-related processes of m6A methylation regulators and compounds that specifically targeted the malignant processes. Besides, we also obtained a list of genes with poor prognosis in GBM. Finally, we derived a risk-gene signature with three selected m6A RNA methylation regulators, which allowed us to extend the in-depth study and dichotomized the OS of patients with GBM into high- and low-risk subgroups. Notably, this risk-gene signature could be used as independent prognostic markers and accurate clinicopathological parameter predictors. In conclusion, m6A RNA methylation regulators are a type of vital participant in the malignant progression of GBM, with a critical potential in the prognostic stratification and treatment strategies of GBM.