An Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Hallmark Gene-Based Risk Score System in Head and Neck Squamous-Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program plays a critical role in cancer. Thus, we attempted to generate a risk score system according to the expression pattern of different EMT hallmark genes in head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSC). Methods Differentially expressed EMT hallmark genes were screened to generate a risk score (RS) on TCGA HNSC dataset. The relative prognostic value of the RS compared to clinicopathological characteristics was explored using multivariable Cox analysis. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to reveal the biological characteristics. An external dataset was applied to validate the prognostic value of the RS . Results Nine genes constituted the EMT hallmark gene-based RS , which is significantly associated with poor prognosis and could successfully divide patients with HNSC into high- and low-risk groups. The RS was also an independent prognostic indicator compared to routine clinical factors. Conclusion We proposed and validated a nine-EMT hallmark gene-based risk score system in HNSC.

Identification and validation of neurotrophic factor-related genes signature in HNSCC to predict survival and immune landscapes

“…At present, the treatment of HNSCC has been based on various treatment methods, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and photodynamic therapy, and the survival rate of HNSCC patients within 5 years after early disease treatment is 70-90% (Lim et al, 2017). However, due to its highly invasive and heterogeneous nature, the prognosis of patients with HNSCC remains poor (Liang et al, 2021). At the same time, most cases of HNSCC are diagnosed at an advanced stage with poor medical treatment and require surgery to dismember the organs needed to speak and swallow (Hashim et al, 2019).…”

Natural killer cell-related prognosis signature characterizes immune landscape and predicts prognosis of HNSCC

“…To further demonstrate whether our constructed 17-NRGs signature has the accurate predictive capability for HNSCC patients, we compared it with five published prognostic signatures, namely the Wang signature ( 34 ), Wu signature ( 35 ), Xue signature ( 36 ), Yang signature ( 37 ) and Zhu signature ( 4 ). For comparability of signatures, we calculated the risk score of each HNSCC sample in entire TCGA cohorts by the same method and converted the risk score according to the previous methods in the five signatures.…”

“…Compared with traditional methods, NK immune cells are more precisely targeted and can achieve the effect of removing cancer cells, anti-relapse and anti-metastasis. However, due to the highly aggressive and heterogeneous nature of HNSCC, the prognosis of patients remains poor, with morbidity and mortality rates increasing year by year ( 4 ). The TNM stage and histological grade are closely correlated with the prognosis of HNSCC and are also the main basis and foundation for treatment options such as prognostic grading, immunotherapy, radiation and chemotherapy ( 5 ).…”

Advances in the study of regulators of ferroptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (Review)

“…HNScc is the most common malignant tumors of the head and neck, with a recurrence and metastasis rate >65% and a 5-year survival rate <50% (125). Although combined surgical resection and radiotherapy have improved the survival rate of patients with HNScc to a certain extent over the past 20 years, in the majority of patients, first-line drugs used for HNSCC, such as platinum-based drugs, 5-fluorouracil, polyene paclitaxel and cetuximab have minimal effects (2).…”