METTL7A is a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND

Methyltransferase-like protein 7A (METTL7A), an m6A methyltransferase, is closely associated with various cancers, but its role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unclear.

METHODS

This study employed bioinformatics analysis using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) datasets. Furthermore, METTL7A expression levels in AML samples were validated using qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

Analyses of TCGA, GTEx, and a single-center cohort all revealed significantly higher METTL7A expression in AML patients compared to controls. High METTL7A expression correlated with poor prognosis and pathological features. ROC curve analysis confirmed its diagnostic value, while multivariate analysis identified METTL7A as an independent prognostic risk factor, leading to the development of a prognostic nomogram. KEGG and GSEA analyses indicated METTL7A's involvement in immune regulation, which was further supported by immune infiltration analysis showing its association with immune cell infiltration.

CONCLUSIONS

High METTL7A expression is associated with poor prognosis in AML and may be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.