A cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature predicts the prognosis and immune cell status in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Xiwang Zheng; Defei Zheng; Chunming Zhang; Huina Guo; Yuliang Zhang; Xuting Xue; Zhaohui Shi; Xiangmin Zhang; Xianhai Zeng; Yongyan Wu; Wei Gao

doi:10.3389/fonc.2023.1055717

A cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature predicts the prognosis and immune cell status in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Front Oncol. 2023 Jul 19:13:1055717. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1055717. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Xiwang Zheng^{1

2}, Defei Zheng³, Chunming Zhang^{1

2

4}, Huina Guo^{1

2}, Yuliang Zhang^{1

2}, Xuting Xue^{1

2}, Zhaohui Shi^{5

6}, Xiangmin Zhang^{5

6}, Xianhai Zeng^{5

6}, Yongyan Wu^{5

6}, Wei Gao^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
² Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
³ Department of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
⁴ Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
⁵ Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Longgang Otolaryngology Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
⁶ Shenzhen Institute of Otolaryngology & Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology, Longgang Otolaryngology Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), one of the most prevalent tumors, is increasing rapidly worldwide. Cuproptosis, as a new copper-dependent cell death form, was proposed recently. However, the prognosis value and immune effects of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (CRLs) have not yet been elucidated in HNSCC.

Methods: In the current study, the expression pattern, differential profile, clinical correlation, DNA methylation, functional enrichment, univariate prognosis factor, and the immune effects of CRLs were analyzed. A four-CRL signature was constructed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm.

Results: Results showed that 20 CRLs had significant effects on the stage progression of HNSCC. Sixteen CRLs were tightly correlated with the overall survival (OS) of HNSCC patients. Particularly, lnc-FGF3-4 as a single risk factor was upregulated in HNSCC tissues and negatively impacted the prognosis of HNSCC. DNA methylation probes of cg02278768 (MIR9-3HG), cg07312099 (ASAH1-AS1), and cg16867777 (TIAM1-AS1) were also correlated with the prognosis of HNSCC. The four-CRL signature that included MAP4K3-DT, lnc-TCEA3-1, MIR9-3HG, and CDKN2A-DT had a significantly negative effect on the activation of T cells follicular helper and OS probability of HNSCC. Functional analysis revealed that cell cycle, DNA replication, and p53 signal pathways were enriched.

Discussion: A novel CRL-related signature has the potential of prognosis prediction in HNSCC. Targeting CRLs may be a promising therapeutic strategy for HNSCC.

Keywords: cell death; copper; cuproptosis; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; lncRNAs; prognosis.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82073101), Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (No. RCJC20210706091950028, JCYJ20220531102815036, JCYJ20190813154405551), Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province (No. 2023A1515010342), Fundamental Research Program of Shanxi Province (No. 20210302124088), the Research Project of Shanxi Province Health and Family Planning Commission (No. 2019033), Shanxi Scholarship Council of China (No. 2020165), the Fund for the Scientific Activities of Selected Return Overseas Professionals in Shanxi Province (No. 20200034), and the Research Funds for China Central Government guided Development of Local Science and Technology (No. 2020-165-19).