Whole transcriptome sequencing reveals cancer-related, prognostically significant transcripts and tumor-infiltrating immunocytes in mantle cell lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive type of lymphoid cancer associated with a variable clinical course. Here we aimed to identify candidate oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes potentially contributing to development of MCL to better understand the underlying pathobiology and to discover prognostic biomarkers. Through whole transcriptome sequencing, we identified novel cancer-related mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs transcriptionally dysregulated in MCL tumor tissues, and demonstrated the prognostic potential of the upregulated oncogene candidate transcripts. We predicted the immunocyte ratios in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and showed that CD8+ T cell ratios may be used for prediction of MCL patient survival. Integrated analysis of CD8+ T cell ratios and cancer-associated transcripts revealed that high-risk MCL patients may be identified during diagnosis. In conclusion, high-risk patients may potentially be identified during diagnostic evaluation of these cancer-related transcripts and/or TME immunocyte ratios, thereby leading to better patient management.