A Novel Prognostic Model for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The Functions and Prognostic Values of RNA-Binding Proteins.

Yingjuan Lu,Shaohai Chang,Yancan Liang,Bowen Li,Yongcong Yan,Yushan Ye,Mo Liu,Jinsong Li,Jiuyang Jiao,Weiqi Cheng

doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.592614

Yingjuan Lu, Shaohai Chang + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.592614

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Abstract

PurposeThe biological roles and clinical significance of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are not fully understood. We investigated the prognostic value of RBPs in OSCC using several bioinformatic strategies.Materials and MethodsOSCC data were obtained from a public online database, the Limma R package was used to identify differentially expressed RBPs, and functional enrichment analysis was performed to elucidate the biological functions of the above RBPs in OSCC. We performed protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and Cox regression analyses to extract prognosis-related hub RBPs. Next, we established and validated a prognostic model based on the hub RBPs using Cox regression and risk score analyses.ResultsWe found that the differentially expressed RBPs were closely related to the defense response to viruses and multiple RNA processes. We identified 10 prognosis-related hub RBPs (ZC3H12D, OAS2, INTS10, ACO1, PCBP4, RNASE3, PTGES3L-AARSD1, RNASE13, DDX4, and PCF11) and effectively predicted the overall survival of OSCC patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of the risk score model was 0.781, suggesting that our model exhibited excellent prognostic performance. Finally, we built a nomogram integrating the 10 RBPs. The internal validation cohort results showed a reliable predictive capability of the nomogram for OSCC.ConclusionWe established a novel 10-RBP-based model for OSCC that could enable precise individual treatment and follow-up management strategies in the future.

Highlights

Oral cancer, comprising a group of tumors located in the alveolar ridge, buccal cavity, mucosa, floor of the mouth, palate, tongue, and other parts of the oral cavity, accounts for an estimated 350,000 new cases and 170,000 deaths per year worldwide
We found that the differentially expressed RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) were closely related to the defense response to viruses and multiple RNA processes
We identified 10 prognosisrelated hub RBPs (ZC3H12D, OAS2, INTS10, ACO1, PCBP4, RNASE3, PTGES3LAARSD1, RNASE13, DDX4, and PCF11) and effectively predicted the overall survival of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients

Summary

Introduction

Oral cancer, comprising a group of tumors located in the alveolar ridge, buccal cavity, mucosa, floor of the mouth, palate, tongue, and other parts of the oral cavity, accounts for an estimated 350,000 new cases and 170,000 deaths per year worldwide. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for more than 95% of oral tumors. A major portion of global OSCC cases are diagnosed in Asia [1]. Precise targeted therapies remain limited, resulting in treatment failure due to individual genetic differences and epigenetic changes among OSCC patients [2,3,4]. A systematic study to identify key biomarkers for diagnosis and effective targets for treatment of OSCC is urgently needed

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