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The following is a summary of “Expression and prognostic value of ferritinophagy-related NCOA4 gene in low-grade glioma: integration of bioinformatics and experimental validation,” published in the January 2025 issue of Neurology by Chen et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to explore the role of the ferritinophagy-related NCOA4 gene in low-grade glioma (LGG). They identified NCOA4 as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target. 

They analyzed multiple bioinformatics databases to assess NCOA4 expression, diagnostic efficacy, immune infiltration, and prognostic value in LGG. They validated findings through immunohistochemistry on LGG tissue samples collected from the hospital. 

The results showed significantly elevated NCOA4 expression in LGG (P < 0.05) with an AUC of 0.973, indicating diagnostic potential. High NCOA4 expression was linked to younger age (21–40 years), lower malignancy (oligodendroglioma), and better prognosis (IDHmut-non-codel and IDHmut-codel) (all P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier curves from 3 databases confirmed better prognosis in high NCOA4-expressing patients (P < 0.05). NCOA4 showed weak correlations with B cells, CD8⁺ T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells (r < 0.3, P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression identified NCOA4, age, CD8 T cells, and macrophages as independent prognostic factors (all P < 0.05). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses associated NCOA4 with autophagy processes (P < 0.05). 

Investigators concluded that NCOA4 served as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target in LGG. Its role was linked to diagnostic efficacy, clinical outcomes, and autophagy-related processes. 

Source: bmcneurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12883-025-04036-4#Abs1