MicroRNAs(miRNAs) are maladjusted in multifarious malignant tumor and can be considered as both carcinogens and tumor-inhibiting factor. In the present study, we analyzed the miRNAs expression profiles and clinical information of 481 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) through the TCGA dataset to identify the prognostic miRNAs signature. A total of 114 significantly differentially expressed miRNAs (SDEMs) were identified, consisting of 60 up-adjusted and 54 down-adjusted miRNAs. The Kaplan-Meier survival method identified the prognostic function of 2 miRNAs (miR-4652-5p and miR-99a-3P). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that the 2 miRNAs were significant prognostic elements of HNSCC. Furthermore, bioinformatic analysis was conducted by means of 4 online gene predicted toolkits to recognize the target genes, and enrichment analysis was performed on the target genes by DAVID. The outcomes depicted that target genes were correlated with calcium, as well as cell proliferation, circadian entrainment, EGFR, PI3K-Akt-mTOR, and P53 signaling pathways. Finally, the PPI network was conducted in view of STRING database and Cytoscape. Eight hub genes were identified by CytoHubba and MCODE app, respectively, CBL, SKP1, H2AFX, HGF, POLR2F, UBE2I, VAMP2, and GNAI2 genes. As a result, we identified 2 miRNAs signatures, 8 hub genes, and significant signaling pathways for estimating the prognosis of HNSCC. In order to further explore the molecular mechanism of HNSCC occurrence and development, more comprehensive basic and clinical studies are needed.
Keywords: bioinformatics; head and neck cancer; microRNAs; survival.
© 2020 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.