Construction of methylation-associated nomogram for predicting the recurrence-free survival risk of stage I–III lung adenocarcinoma

Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate a methylation-associated predictor for prognosis in patients with stage I-III lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods: A DNA methylation-based signature was developed via univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and multivariate Cox regression models. Results: We identified a 14-site methylation signature that was correlated with recurrence-free survival of stage I-III lung adenocarcinoma patients. By receiver operating characteristic analysis, we showed the high ability of the 14-site methylation signature for predicting recurrence-free survival. In addition, the nomogram result showed a satisfactory predictive value. Conclusion: We successfully identified a DNA methylation-associated nomogram which can predict recurrence-free survival in patients with stage I-III lung adenocarcinoma.Lay abstract Non-small-cell lung cancer patients have a high death rate as a result of cancer recurrence, which can lead to a dismal prognosis. Our study aimed to determine a novel DNA methylation-related biomarker for predicting the recurrence-free survival of stage I–III lung adenocarcinoma patients via comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. A prognostic model was developed and verified according to regression analysis. A high predictive ability of the 14-site methylation signature was determined. Additionally, we constructed a nomogram based on methylation-related risk score and several clinicopathological factors. In conclusion, an effective 14-site methylation signature was discovered which may act as a potential hallmark for stage I–III lung adenocarcinoma prognosis, and a DNA methylation-related nomogram was developed to promote the individual treatment of patients with stage I–III lung adenocarcinoma.