Perspectives of lipid metabolism reprogramming in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An overview

A prognostic model built on amino acid metabolism patterns in HPV-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To compare amino acid metabolism patterns between HPV-positive and HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients and identify key genes for a prognostic model.

DESIGN

Utilizing the Cancer Genome Atlas dataset, we analyzed amino acid metabolism genes, differentiated genes between HPV statuses, and selected key genes via LASSO regression for the prognostic model. The model's gene expression was verified through immunohistochemistry in clinical samples. Functional enrichment and CIBERSORTx analyses explored biological functions, molecular mechanisms, and immune cell correlations. The model's prognostic capability was assessed using nomograms, calibration, and decision curve analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 1157 key genes associated with amino acid metabolism in HNSCC and HPV status. The prognostic model, featuring genes like IQCN, SLC22A1, SYT12, and TLX3, highlighted functions in development, metabolism, and pathways related to receptors and enzymes. It significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration and outperformed traditional staging in prognosis prediction, despite immunohistochemistry results showing limited clinical identification of HPV-related HNSCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Distinct amino acid metabolism patterns differentiate HPV-positive from negative HNSCC patients, underscoring the prognostic model's utility in predicting outcomes and guiding therapeutic strategies.

The role of neck adipose tissue in lymph node metastasis of head and neck cancer

Previous studies indicated that adipose tissue significantly influences cancer invasion and lymphatic metastasis. However, the impact of neck adipose tissue (NAT) on lymph node metastasis associated with head and neck cancer remains ambiguous. Here, we systematically assess the classification and measurement criteria of NAT and evaluate the association of adipose tissue and cancer-associated adipocytes with head and neck cancer. We delve into the potential mechanisms by which NAT facilitate cervical lymph node metastasis in head and neck cancer, particularly through the secretion of adipokines such as leptin, adiponectin, and Interleukin-6. Our aim is to elucidate the role of NAT in the progression and metastasis of head and neck cancer, offering new insights into prevention and treatment.

Squalene Epoxidase: Its Regulations and Links with Cancers

Squalene epoxidase (SQLE) is a key enzyme in the mevalonate-cholesterol pathway that plays a critical role in cellular physiological processes. It converts squalene to 2,3-epoxysqualene and catalyzes the first oxygenation step in the pathway. Recently, intensive efforts have been made to extend the current knowledge of SQLE in cancers through functional and mechanistic studies. However, the underlying mechanisms and the role of SQLE in cancers have not been fully elucidated yet. In this review, we retrospected current knowledge of SQLE as a rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate-cholesterol pathway, while shedding light on its potential as a diagnostic and prognostic marker, and revealed its therapeutic values in cancers. We showed that SQLE is regulated at different levels and is involved in the crosstalk with iron-dependent cell death. Particularly, we systemically reviewed the research findings on the role of SQLE in different cancers. Finally, we discussed the therapeutic implications of SQLE inhibitors and summarized their potential clinical values. Overall, this review discussed the multifaceted mechanisms that involve SQLE to present a vivid panorama of SQLE in cancers.

CCDC71L as a novel prognostic marker and immunotherapy target via lipid metabolism in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most widespread cancer globally with high rate and poor prognosis. Coiled-coil domain containing 71 like (CCDC71L) exerts an important role in cellular lipid metabolic process. However, its function in HNSCC remains unclear. To this end, we examined the CCDC71L implications for prognosis and tumor microenvironment in HNSCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, CCDC71L expression was explored through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Human Protein Atlas (HPA), the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2), Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The clinicpathological information were obtained from the dataset of TCGA. The Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases and Cox model were performed for the determination of prognostic values of CCDC71L, including the overall survival (OS), progress free interval (PFI), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease specific survival (DSS). Then, the potential mechanism of CCDC71L in HNSCC development was elucidated by means of Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and Metascape databases. Furthermore, the relevance of CCDC71L to immune cells infiltration and immune checkpoints was assessed. The correlations among CCDC71L expression, mutational landscape and genome heterogeneity [mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity (MATH) and tumor purity] were detected by the data in TCGA.

RESULTS

CCDC71L expression was significantly upregulated in HNSCC, and positively associated with age, gender and N stage. Higher CCDC71L expression resulted in poor OS, RFS, DSS and PFI. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed CCDC71L would be an independent prognostic marker in patients with HNSCC. Moreover, CCDC71L and the level of macrophage and neutrophil cells infiltration were significantly correlated in HNSCC. High expression of CCDC71L was related to immune checkpoint genes, oncogene mutations and genome heterogeneity markers.

CONCLUSION

These results implied that CCDC71L plays vital roles in HNSCC progression, which could be used as a underlying biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of HNSCC. Meanwhile, CCDC71L participates in immune regulation, which has a potential value for the immunotherapy of HNSCC patients.

Toward a Unifying Hypothesis for Redesigned Lipid Catabolism as a Clinical Target in Advanced, Treatment-Resistant Carcinomas

We review extensive progress from the cancer metabolism community in understanding the specific properties of lipid metabolism as it is redesigned in advanced carcinomas. This redesigned lipid metabolism allows affected carcinomas to make enhanced catabolic use of lipids in ways that are regulated by oxygen availability and is implicated as a primary source of resistance to diverse treatment approaches. This oxygen control permits lipid catabolism to be an effective energy/reducing potential source under the relatively hypoxic conditions of the carcinoma microenvironment and to do so without intolerable redox side effects. The resulting robust access to energy and reduced potential apparently allow carcinoma cells to better survive and recover from therapeutic trauma. We surveyed the essential features of this advanced carcinoma-specific lipid catabolism in the context of treatment resistance and explored a provisional unifying hypothesis. This hypothesis is robustly supported by substantial preclinical and clinical evidence. This approach identifies plausible routes to the clinical targeting of many or most sources of carcinoma treatment resistance, including the application of existing FDA-approved agents.

Differentially Expressed Genes, miRNAs and Network Models: A Strategy to Shed Light on Molecular Interactions Driving HNSCC Tumorigenesis

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is among the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for hundreds thousands deaths annually. Unfortunately, most patients are diagnosed in an advanced stage and only a percentage respond favorably to therapies. To help fill this gap, we hereby propose a retrospective in silico study to shed light on gene-miRNA interactions driving the development of HNSCC. Moreover, to identify topological biomarkers as a source for designing new drugs. To achieve this, gene and miRNA profiles from patients and controls are holistically reevaluated using protein-protein interaction (PPI) and bipartite miRNA-target networks. Cytoskeletal remodeling, extracellular matrix (ECM), immune system, proteolysis, and energy metabolism have emerged as major functional modules involved in the pathogenesis of HNSCC. Of note, the landscape of our findings depicts a concerted molecular action in activating genes promoting cell cycle and proliferation, and inactivating those suppressive. In this scenario, genes, including VEGFA, EMP1, PPL, KRAS, MET, TP53, MMPs and HOXs, and miRNAs, including mir-6728 and mir-99a, emerge as key players in the molecular interactions driving HNSCC tumorigenesis. Despite the heterogeneity characterizing these HNSCC subtypes, and the limitations of a study pointing to relationships that could be context dependent, the overlap with previously published studies is encouraging. Hence, it supports further investigation for key molecules, both those already and not correlated to HNSCC.

Enhancing prognostic accuracy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma chemotherapy via a lipid metabolism-related clustered polygenic model

OBJECTIVE

Systemic chemotherapy is the first-line therapeutic option for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but it often fails. This study aimed to develop an effective prognostic model for evaluating the therapeutic effects of systemic chemotherapy.

METHODS

This study utilized CRISPR/cas9 whole gene loss-of-function library screening and data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) HNSCC patients who have undergone systemic therapy to examine differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A lipid metabolism-related clustered polygenic model called the lipid metabolism related score (LMRS) model was established based on the identified functionally enriched DEGs. The prediction efficiency of the model for survival outcome, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy response was evaluated using HNSCC datasets, the GEO database and clinical samples.

RESULTS

Screening results from the study demonstrated that genes those were differentially expressed were highly associated with lipid metabolism-related pathways, and patients receiving systemic therapy had significantly different prognoses based on lipid metabolism gene characteristics. The LMRS model, consisting of eight lipid metabolism-related genes, outperformed each lipid metabolism gene-based model in predicting outcome and drug response. Further validation of the LMRS model in HNSCCs confirmed its prognostic value.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the LMRS polygenic prognostic model is helpful to assess outcome and drug response for HNSCCs and could assist in the timely selection of the appropriate treatment for HNSCC patients. This study provides important insights for improving systemic chemotherapy and enhancing patient outcomes.

Multi-omics analysis revealed NMBA induced esophageal carcinoma tumorigenesis via regulating PPARα signaling pathway

As widespread environmental carcinogens causing esophageal carcinoma (EC), the effects of N-nitrosamines on human health hazards and accurate toxicity mechanisms have not been well-elucidated. In this study, we explored the tumorigenic mechanism of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA) exposure using both cell and rat models. It was found that NMBA (2 μM) exposure for 26 weeks induced malignant transformation of normal esophageal epithelial (Het-1A) cells. After then proteomics analysis showed that lipid metabolism disorder predominantly participated in the process of NMBA-induced cell malignant transformation. Further the integrated proteomics and lipidomics analysis revealed that the enhancement of fatty acid metabolism promoted the EC tumorigenesis induced by NMBA through facilitating the fatty acid-associated PPARα signaling pathway. The animal studies also revealed that accelerated fatty acid decomposition in the progression of NMBA-induced EC models of rats was accompanied by the activation of the PPARα pathway. Overall, our findings depicted the key dynamic molecular alteration triggered by N-nitrosamines, and provided comprehensive biological perspectives into the carcinogenic risk assessment of N-nitrosamines.