Abstract
Background: The functional alterations of eRNAs have been reported to be correlated with tumorigenesis. However, the roles of eRNAs in thyroid cancer (THCA) remain still unclear. This study aimed to construct an immune-related eRNA prognostic signature that could effectively predict the survival and prognosis for THCA. Methods: The Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was performed to identify THCA-specific immune-related hub genes and immune-related eRNAs were obtained using Pearson correlation analysis. Univariate and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression were conducted to construct an immune-related eRNA prognostic signature in training cohort, and the predictive capability was verified in test cohort and entire cohort. Kaplan-Meier analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and nomogram were used to validate the risk signature. Furthermore, CIBERSORT, ESTIMATE and ssGSEA were analyzed to explore the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of the risk signature, and the response of potential immunotherapeutic were also discussed. Results: A total of 125 immune-related eRNAs were obtained and 16 immune-related eRNAs were significantly correlated with overall survival (OS). A 9-immune-related eRNA prognostic signature was constructed, and the risk score was identified as an independent predictor. High-risk groups were associated with a poorer OS. Immune microenvironment analysis indicated that low risk score was correlated with higher immuneScore, high immune cell infiltration, and the better response of immunotherapy. Additionally, we also detected 9 immune-related eRNA expression levels in sixty-two matched tumorous and non-tumorous tissues using qRT-PCR analysis. Conclusion: Our immune-related eRNA risk signature that was an independent prognostic factor was strongly correlated with the immune microenvironment and may be promising for the clinical prediction of prognosis and immunotherapeutic responses in THCA patients.