Cardio-oncology in focus: novel molecular signatures of lung adenocarcinoma-driven cardiac cachexia.

BACKGROUND

Cardiac cachexia linked to lung adenocarcinoma (LCACC) is a clinically important yet under-researched issue in cardio-oncology. LCACC is caused directly by the progression of the tumor, unlike cardiotoxicity induced by therapy. We proposed that LCACC myocardium exhibits unique transcriptomic and immunometabolic profiles.

OBJECTIVE

To thoroughly analyze the molecular alterations in the myocardium associated with LCACC and pinpoint possible regulatory genes and therapeutic targets.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis using publicly accessible myocardial RNA-seq data (n = 4 + 4) from LCACC and control mice. The analyses comprised differential gene expression (DEG), immune deconvolution using xCell, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks.

RESULTS

In LCACC, the myocardium exhibited metabolic reprogramming characterized by increased oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and protein synthesis pathways, while cell cycle and inflammatory signaling (such as NF-κB) were downregulated. The analysis of immune profiles indicated a rise in fibroblasts and megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors, while conventional dendritic and memory B cells were reduced. Five central genes (CCL2, CDC20, MKI67, CX3CR1, CXCL1) were discovered, grouped within chemokine signaling and cell division pathways, and linked to actionable upstream transcription factors, miRNAs, and possible drugs.

CONCLUSION

This research offers the initial comprehensive map of transcriptomic and immunometabolic changes in LCACC. These results emphasize that LCACC involves active, regulated biological processes, indicating it is not just a passive result of cachexia, and they pave the way for further mechanistic and translational studies.