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. 2024 Dec 13:17:6185-6197.
doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S493488. eCollection 2024.

Identification of 7-HOCA as a Potential Biomarker in Glioblastoma: Evidence from Genome-Wide Association Study and Clinical Validation

Zhenxiang Zhao  1 , Na Xing  2 , Guozhu Sun  3
Affiliations

Identification of 7-HOCA as a Potential Biomarker in Glioblastoma: Evidence from Genome-Wide Association Study and Clinical Validation

Zhenxiang Zhao et al. Int J Gen Med. .

Abstract

Purpose: Glioblastoma (GBM) is associated with metabolic disturbances, yet the relationships between metabolites with GBM have not been comprehensively explored. This study aims to fill this gap by integrating Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis with clinical validation.

Patients and methods: Summary data from genome-wide association study (GWAS) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metabolites, plasma metabolites, and GBM were obtained separately. A total of 338 CSF metabolites and 1400 plasma metabolites were utilized as exposures. Concurrently, GBM was designated as the outcome. A two-sample bidirectional MR study was conducted to investigate the potential association. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) analyses were conducted as causal estimates, accompanied by a series of sensitivity analyses to evaluate the robustness of the results. Additionally, metabolite levels in clinical plasma and CSF samples were quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to validate the findings.

Results: MR analysis identified eight CSF metabolites and six plasma metabolites that were closely associated with GBM. Among these, elevated levels of 7-alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoate (7-HOCA) in both CSF and plasma were found to promote GBM. In terms of clinical validation, compared to the control group, 7-HOCA levels were significantly higher in both the CSF and plasma of GBM group.

Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the metabolic factors contributing to GBM. The identification of specific metabolites, particularly 7-HOCA, that have vital roles in GBM pathogenesis suggests new biomarkers and therapeutic targets, offering potential pathways for improved diagnosis and treatment of GBM.

Keywords: 7-alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoate; Mendelian randomization; cerebrospinal fluid; glioblastoma; metabolite; plasma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The flow chart of this study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The significant relationships between CSF metabolites and GBM.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The significant relationships between plasma metabolites and GBM.
Figure 4
Figure 4
MR results of CSF 7-HOCA levels and GBM. (A). Scatter plot. (B) Forest Plot. (C) Leave-one-out analysis. (D) Funnel plots.
Figure 5
Figure 5
MR results of plasma 7-HOCA levels and GBM. (A) Scatter plot. (B) Forest Plot. (C) Leave-one-out analysis. (D) Funnel plots.
Figure 6
Figure 6
External validation of the relationship between 7-HOCA and GBM. (A) Difference in CSF 7-HOCA levels between GBM and control. (B) Comparison of plasma 7-HOCA levels between GBM and control. (**p<0.001).
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