LDHA associated with telomerase-related genes promotes tumorigenesis and progression of lung adenocarcinoma

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a lung cancer subtype with poor prognosis and high heterogeneity, posing significant challenges in clinical management. Telomerase-related genes (TRGs), crucial for chromosomal stability and tumor progression, have an unclear link to LUAD prognosis. In this study, we developed a 12-TRG-based risk model using genomic and clinical data from the TCGA and GEO databases, demonstrating high precision in predicting outcomes for patients with LUAD. We comprehensively analyzed the model's correlation with clinical features, the tumor microenvironment (TME), and drug sensitivity. Notably, in vitro experiments confirmed that LDHA knockdown reduces LUAD cell invasion, migration, and proliferation. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of LUAD and highlight potential therapeutic targets, thereby advancing the understanding and treatment of this aggressive cancer.