Integrated analysis of the genomic and transcriptional profile of high-grade gliomas in different age groups.

BACKGROUND Age is a powerful prognostic factor of high-grade glioma (HGG). However, the underlying genetic mechanisms of the discrepant prognosis among different age groups remain elusive. METHODS A total of 953 and 559 HGG patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) cohorts were enrolled and assigned as young, intermediate, elderly groups. The data of clinicopathological characteristics, mRNA, mutation, copy number alteration was analyzed. RESULTS Transcriptomic analysis revealed that diverse biological processes including immune response are altered between the young and elderly groups. Combined with the analysis of infiltrating immune cells and immune checkpoints, our results suggest an immune suppression status in the elderly group. Patients from different age groups exhibit different mutation and copy number alteration profiles. CONCLUSIONS A multi-omics analysis is conducted to explore the biological basis of HGG patients of different age groups. This study suggests an immune-suppressive environment in elderly patients.