GSK3β as a potential regulator in AML: A pan-cancer multi-omics analysis

Abstract

The distinct roles of GSK3 isoforms (GSK3α/β) in tumorigenesis and immune modulation remain poorly characterized across malignancies. We integrated multi-omics data from TCGA, GTEx, and single-cell RNA-seq to analyze GSK3α/β expression patterns in 31 cancers. Functional clustering, survival analysis (Cox regression), immune infiltration, and in vitro validation (AML cell lines treated with CHIR-99021) were performed. Integrated multi-omics analysis of 31 malignancies revealed divergent dysregulation of GSK3 isoforms: GSK3α was upregulated in 19 solid tumors but suppressed in AML, while GSK3β was elevated in 23 cancers and high-risk AML subtypes (FAB-M0/M1, P  = 0.0013). GSK3β outperformed GSK3α as a pan-cancer diagnostic biomarker, achieving superior AUC in 9 tumors. Prognostically, high GSK3α predicted poor OS in ACC (HR = 8.80, P  = 0.0047) and MESO (HR = 2.75, P  < 0.0067), whereas GSK3β independently stratified cytogenetic-risk AML (HR = 4.22, P  = 0.007). Immune profiling uncovered isoform-specific TME modulation: GSK3α correlated with protumorigenic immune infiltration (Treg/Th17, r = 0.38), contrasting GSK3β’s broad negative associations with cytotoxic effectors (r = −0.27). Functional validation in AML THP-1 cells demonstrated that the GSK3 inhibitor CHIR-99021 (10 μM) significantly suppressed proliferation, induced apoptosis, and caused S-phase cell cycle arrest, concomitant with downregulation of c-Myc. These findings establish GSK3β as a key regulator of oncogenic programs in AML. This study provides a comprehensive pan-cancer atlas of GSK3 isoform-specific functionality, nominating GSK3β as a high-priority therapeutic target.