Identification of necroptosis-related gene signature and characterization of tumour microenvironment infiltration in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Necroptosis is a programmed necrosis in a caspase-independent fashion. The role of necroptosis-related genes (NRGs) in lung cancer remains unknow. Herein, we classified TCGA-LUAD cohort into two necroptosis-related subtypes (C1 and C2) by consensus clustering analysis. The result showed that subtype C1 had a favourable prognosis and higher infiltration levels of immune cells. Moreover, subtype C1 was more activated in immune-associated pathways. Then, we established an NRG prognosis model (NRG score) composed of six NRGs (RIPK3, MLKL, TLR2, TLR4, TNFRSF1A, NDRG2) and divided the cohort into low- and high-risk group. We found that the NRG score was associated with prognosis, tumour immune microenvironment and tumour mutation burden. We also constructed an accurate nomogram model to improve the clinical applicability of NRG score. The result indicated that NRG score may be an independent prognostic marker for lung cancer patients. Taken together, we established a prognosis model that may deepen the understanding of NRGs in lung cancer and provide a basis for developing more effective immunotherapy strategies.