Multi-omics insights into the molecular signature and prognosis of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Approximately two-thirds of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, with the worst prognosis among head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Identifying biomarkers for high-risk patients requiring aggressive treatment is crucial. We present mutational, transcriptomic, and proteomic studies of 103 Chinese HPSCC patients and observe a higher prevalence and poorer prognosis in males. Estrogen response pathways are up-regulated, and proteins phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC) and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are aberrantly regulated in HPSCC. We identify aberrant copy number regions including SOX2(3q26.33), FGFR(8p11.23), CCND1(11q13.3), CDKN2A/2B(9p21.3), and MYC(8q24.21). Human papillomavirus (HPV) status combined with highly mutated genes, such as SYNE1 in HPV(-) and MUC4 in HPV(+) patients, were assessed as prognosis markers. A predictive model involving clinical factors and expression of six genes was established and cross-site validated. These findings open new opportunities for stratifying high-risk patients and molecular targets for personalized therapeutic strategies.
Authors
- Yu‐Xiong Su (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7143-3370)
- Chun Feng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7942-8146)
- Bo Huo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3194-3725)
- Yong Liao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8379-4720)
- Honglu Jiang
- Yanxin Ren (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2463-4978)
- Qin Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9792-4431)
- Wei Xiong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8087-5047)
- Ping Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8588-847X)
- Dan Yu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3938-7129)
- Zuli Li
- Xiaoyan Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8229-0798)
- Hao Zhang
- Junwen Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4432-4707)
- Siting Yu
- Junlin Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7331-3580)
- Qi Zhong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1259-5200)
Institutions
- Kunming University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Beijing Tongren Hospital (CN)
- Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (CN)
- Chinese University of Hong Kong (HK)
- Capital Medical University (CN)
- Dalian Medical University (CN)
- Kunming Medical University (CN)
- First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province (CN)
- Ministry of Education (SA)
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (CN)
- Mayo Clinic in Arizona (US)
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Czechia) (CZ)
- Chongqing Medical University (CN)
- University of Hong Kong (HK)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Communications Biology
- Published
- 2025-03-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07700-0
- Citations
- 6
- Primary Topic
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.84