A composite score based on immune-related gene prognostic index and m6A risk score of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Immunotherapy has been demonstrated favorable in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Studies indicated that immune-related gene prognostic index (IRGPI) was a robust signature, and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation had a significant impact on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and immunotherapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Thus, combining indicated that immune-related gene prognostic index with m6A status should offer a better predictive power for immune responses.Methods: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma samples from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA, n = 498) and gene expression omnibus database (GSE65858, n = 270) were used in this study. Cox regression analysis was used to construct the indicated that immune-related gene prognostic index through immune-related hub genes which were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The m6A risk score was constructed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. Principal component analysis was used to construct a composite score, and systematically correlate subgroups according to tumor immune microenvironment cell-infiltrating characteristics.Results: A composite score was determined based on indicated that immune-related gene prognostic index and m6A risk score. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients in the cancer genome atlas were divided into four subgroups: A (IRGPI-High&m6A-risk-High, n = 127), B (IRGPI-High&m6A-risk-Low, n = 99), C (IRGPI-Low&m6A-risk-High, n = 99), and D (IRGPI-Low&m6A-risk-Low, n = 128), and overall survival (OS) was significantly different between subgroups (p < 0.001). The characteristics of tumor immune microenvironment cell infiltration in the four subgroups were significantly different in subgroups (p < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves show the predictive value of composite score for overall survival was superior to other scores.Conclusion: The composite score is a promising prognostic signature which might distinguish immune and molecular characteristics, predict prognosis, and guide more effective immunotherapeutic strategies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Active Immune Phenotype in Head and Neck Cancer: Reevaluating the Iso-Effect Fractionation Based on the Linear Quadratic (LQ) Model—A Narrative Review

“…Starting from this concept of different radio-sensitivities, Foy et al aimed to evaluate the molecular factors associated with these differences in radio-sensitivity in HPV-HNSCC patients. The authors proposed a RadR radio-resistance score based on a training set and a validation set that included HPV-negative HNSCCs from The Cancer Genome Atlas HNSCC cell lines with known radio-sensibility levels [13,19,20]. Patterns of protein expression, drug sensitivity, and biological hallmarks were also evaluated in an integrated analysis together with the RadR score, in addition to genetic alteration being correlated with CCND1 amplification, fibronectin expression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and sensitivity to an HSP90 inhibitor.…”