Development and Validation of an Autophagy-Related Signature for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The dual role of autophagy in HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) displays distinct epidemiological, clinical, and molecular characteristics compared to the negative counterpart. Alterations in autophagy play an important role in cancer, and emerging evidence indicates an interplay of autophagy in HNSCC carcinogenesis and tumor promotion. However, the influence of HPV infection on autophagy in HNSCC has received less attention and has not been previously reviewed. Therefore, we here aimed to systematically review the role of autophagy explicitly in HPV+ HNSCC.

METHODS

Studies accessible in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science investigating HNSCC, highlighting the molecular biological differences between HPV- and HPV+ HNSCC and its influences on autophagy in HNSCC were analyzed according to the PRISMA statement. A total of 10 articles were identified, included, and summarized.

RESULTS

The HPV16 E7 oncoprotein was reported to be involved in the degradation of AMBRA1 and STING, and to enhance chemotherapy-induced cell death via lethal mitophagy in HNSCC cells. Autophagy-associated gene signatures correlated with HPV-subtype and overall survival. Additionally, immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses indicate that high LC3B expression correlates with poor overall survival in oropharyngeal HNSCC patients.

CONCLUSION

HPV may dampen general bulk autophagic flux via degradation of AMBRA1 but may promote selective autophagic degradation of STING and mitochondria. Interpretations of correlations between autophagy-associated gene expressions or IHC analyses of autophagy-related (ATG) proteins in paraffin embedded tissue with clinicopathological features without biological validation need to be taken with caution.

Integrative analysis of lysine acetylation-related genes and identification of a novel prognostic model for oral squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which accounts for a high proportion of oral cancers, is characterized by high aggressiveness and rising incidence. Lysine acetylation is associated with cancer pathogenesis. Lysine acetylation-related genes (LARGs) are therapeutic targets and potential prognostic indicators in various tumors, including oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, systematic bioinformatics analysis of the Lysine acetylation-related genes in Oral squamous cell carcinoma is still unexplored. Methods: We analyzed the expression of 33 Lysine acetylation-related genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma and the effects of their somatic mutations on oral squamous cell carcinoma prognosis. Consistent clustering analysis identified two lysine acetylation patterns and the differences between the two patterns were further evaluated. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was used to develop a lysine acetylation-related prognostic model using TCGA oral squamous cell carcinoma datasets, which was then validated using gene expression omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE41613. Results: Patients with lower risk scores had better prognoses, in both the overall cohort and within the subgroups These patients also had "hot" immune microenvironments and were more sensitive to immunotherapy. Disscussion: Our findings offer a new model for classifying oral squamous cell carcinoma and determining its prognosis and offer novel insights into oral squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis and treatment.