Increased Expression of PDGFA Is Associated With Poor Prognosis and Immune Infiltration in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

BackgroundPlatelet‐derived growth factor A (PDGFA) has been shown to be upregulated in several tumors, contributing to their malignant phenotypes. However, its expression and function in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) are not clearly understood. Thus, we aimed to evaluate this issue using bioinformatic analyses and primary experimental validation.MethodsThe expression of PDGFA was analyzed using popular bio‐databases and further validated by RT‐PCR and immunohistochemical staining. Survival analyses were then performed. The association between PDGFA expression levels and immune cell infiltration in the immune microenvironment was assessed.ResultsPDGFA has been found to be significantly upregulated in a variety of cancers, including HNSC, and increased PDGFA expression may be an independent prognostic factor associated with immune cell infiltration in HNSC.ConclusionOverexpression of PDGFA in HNSC is significantly associated with poor prognosis and immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment (TME). PDGFA has potential as a molecular indicator for diagnosis, prognosis, and immune processes in HNSC.