A novel model based on CD8+ T cell-related genes predicts prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma and exhibits poor prognosis in advanced and metastatic cases, highlighting the urgent need for reliable prognostic biomarkers. In this study, CD8+ T cells infiltration related genes were screened using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and a novel prognostic risk model for ccRCC was constructed. The differential expression of model genes was further analyzed, correlations of these genes with drug sensitivity were evaluated, and the association between risk score and immune checkpoint molecules was explored. The risk signature functioned as an independent prognostic indicator with moderate predictive performance (AUC = 0.705), and elevated risk scores corresponded to inferior survival outcomes. All model genes except ZBED2 were significantly overexpressed in ccRCC tumor tissues. Drug sensitivity analysis demonstrated that CD7 and TTC24 were strongly correlated with nelarabine sensitivity, whereas PDCD1 and RTP5 were highly associated with bendamustine response (Correlation > 0.6, p < 0.001). Moreover, the risk score was closely linked to multiple immune checkpoint markers. The risk model based on genes associated with CD8+ T cells infiltration is an independent prognostic factor for patients with ccRCC, providing new insights into the prognosis of this disease.