ProgModule: A novel computational framework to identify mutation driver modules for predicting cancer prognosis and immunotherapy response

Abstract Background Cancer originates from dysregulated cell proliferation driven by driver gene mutations. Despite numerous algorithms developed to identify genomic mutational signatures, they often suffer from high computational complexity and limited clinical applicability. Methods Here, we prese...

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Main Authors: Xiangmei Li, Bingyue Pan, Xilong Zhao, Yinchun Su, Jiyin Lai, Siyuan Li, Yalan He, Jiashuo Wu, Junwei Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Translational Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06497-0
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Summary:Abstract Background Cancer originates from dysregulated cell proliferation driven by driver gene mutations. Despite numerous algorithms developed to identify genomic mutational signatures, they often suffer from high computational complexity and limited clinical applicability. Methods Here, we presented ProgModule, an advanced computational framework designed to identify mutation driver modules for cancer prognosis and immunotherapy response prediction. In ProgModule, we introduced the Prognosis-Related Mutually Exclusive Mutation (PRMEM) score, which optimizes the balance between exclusive mutation coverage and the incorporation of mutation combination mechanisms critical for cancer prognosis. Results Applying to BLCA and HNSC cohorts, ProgModule successfully identified driver modules that stratify patients into distinct prognostic subgroups, and the combination of these modules could serve as an effective prognostic biomarker. Extending our method to diverse cancers, ProgModule presented robust prognostic performance and stability across model parameters, including stopping criteria and network topology. Moreover, our analysis suggested that driver modules can predict immunotherapeutic benefit more effectively than existing signatures. Further analyses based on published CRISPR data indicated that genes within these modules may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Conclusions Altogether, ProgModule emerges as a powerful tool for identifying mutation driver modules as prognostic and immunotherapy response biomarkers, and genes within these modules may be used as potential therapeutic targets for cancer, offering new insights into precision oncology.
ISSN:1479-5876