Meta-analysis of multi-center transcriptomic profiles and machine learning reveal phospholipase Cβ4 as a Wnt/Ca²+ signaling mediator in glioblastoma immunotherapy

Introduction Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor characterized by pronounced invasiveness, rapid progression, frequent recurrence, and poor clinical prognosis. Current treatment strategies remain inadequate due to the lack of effective molecular targets, underscoring the urgent need to identify novel therapeutic avenues. Methods In this study, we employed weighted gene co-expression network analysis and meta-analysis, incorporating clinical immunotherapy datasets, to identify ten candidate genes associated with GBM initiation, progression, prognosis, and response to immunotherapy. Multi-omics analyses across glioma and pan-cancer datasets revealed that these genes play pivotal roles in cancer biology. Results Phospholipase Cb4 (PLCB4) showed a negative correlation with tumor grade in clinical samples, suggesting its potential role as a tumor suppressor. Evidence indicated that PLCB4 expression is modulated by Wnt signaling, and its overexpression may activate the calcium ion signaling pathway. Notably, PLCB4 is strongly associated with aberrant tumor proliferation, making it a compelling therapeutic target. Through structure-based virtual screening, five small molecules with high predicted affinity for PLCB4 were identified as potential drug candidates. Discussion This study’s integrative approach—combining target identification, pathway inference, and in silico drug screening—offers a promising framework for rational drug development in GBM. The findings may reduce unnecessary experimental screening and medical costs, and represent a significant step toward improving therapeutic outcomes and prognosis for GBM patients.