An Investigation of the Prognostic Role of Genes Related to Lipid Metabolism in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has become a prevalent malignancy, and its incidence and mortality rate are increasing worldwide. Accumulating evidence has indicated that lipid metabolism-related genes (LMRGs) are involved in the occurrence and development of HNSCC. This study investigated the latent association of lipid metabolism with HNSCC and established a prognostic signature based on LMRGs. A prognostic risk model composed of eight differentially expressed LMRGs (PHYH, CYP4F8, INMT, ELOVL6, PLPP3, BCHE, TPTE, and STAR) was constructed through The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Then, ELOVL6 expression was validated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which is a common type of HNSCC, by immunohistochemical analysis. ELOVL6 expression in the OSCC II/III group was significantly higher than that in the other three groups (normal, dysplasia, and OSCC I), and OSCC patients with high ELOVL6 expression had poorer survival than those with low ELOVL6 expression. In summary, the LMRG-based prognostic feature had prognostic predictive capacity. ELOVL6 may be a potential prognostic factor for HNSCC patients.

Liver Regeneration-Related Genes of Nontumor Liver Tissues Predict the Prognosis of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…Consistent with our study, higher expression of PHYH is associated with better prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and renal clear cell carcinoma (CCRCC). [41][42][43] Additionally, PHYH is highly expressed in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and holds potential as a diagnostic biomarker for IRI. 44 In our study, we observed that higher expression of PHYH in nontumor tissues of HCC patients correlated with better prognosis.…”