Exploring the role of CCT7 in prognosis, cell cycle regulation, and immune microenvironment remodeling of lung adenocarcinoma based on multi-omics datasets and functional experiments

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) represents one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies, accounting for a significant proportion of cancer-associated deaths worldwide. The persistently unfavorable clinical outcomes associated with this disease highlight the critical demand for identifying innovative molecular markers and developing targeted therapeutic interventions. The chaperonin-containing TCP-1 subunit 7 (CCT7) has been implicated in carcinogenesis across malignancies, but its specific role in LUAD pathogenesis and clinical utility remains poorly defined.

Methods: We evaluated CCT7 expression in LUAD using TCGA, GSE118370, CPTAC, and HPA datasets, correlating it with clinicopathological features and survival outcomes. Functional assays (cell cycle analysis, proliferation, colony formation) in A549/H1229 cells, single-cell RNA Sequencing, miRNA regulatory studies, and drug sensitivity analyses (GDSC/CTRP) were performed to explore its mechanisms and clinical potential.

Results: CCT7 was significantly upregulated in LUAD at both mRNA and protein levels, associating with advanced pathological stages, lymph node metastasis, and poor survival (AUC > 0.5 for 1-, 3-, and 5-year outcomes). It promoted LUAD proliferation via the FOXM1-POLE2 pathway, with knockdown inducing M-phase arrest. CCT7 shaped an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (reduced CD8+ T cells, elevated Th2 cells) and enhanced crosstalk between tumor cells and stromal/immune populations. Hsa-miR-145-5p negatively regulated CCT7. High CCT7 correlated with increased tumor mutational burden and sensitivity to FK866/Vorinostat, but resistance to Erlotinib.

Conclusion: CCT7 acts as an independent prognostic biomarker in LUAD, driving progression through cell cycle regulation, microenvironment remodeling, and immune modulation. It holds promise as a therapeutic target and guide for personalized LUAD treatment.

CCT7; Cell cycle; Immune infiltration; Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD); Prognosis; Tumor microenvironment; miRNA.