Identification of Autophagy-Related Gene Signature as A Prognostic Index in Patients Suffering from Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Autophagy is a process of lysosomal degradation and elimination of the intracellular content in stressed cells which reportedly has a crucial part in the occurrence and development of tumors. The sixth most prevalent cancer all over the world is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). HNSCC is associated with an increased incidence of morbidity and mortality, seriously affecting human health. This investigation examined the relationship between genes linked to autophagy and the prognosis for HNSCC, aiming to discover new autophagy-related biomarkers of HNSCC prognosis. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) HNSCC database was utilized for identifying differentially expressed 38 autophagy-related genes. Through the use of LASSO regression, univariate Cox analysis, and multivariate Cox analysis, a prognostic model of 6 autophagy-related genes was developed. The interested genes FADD, EGFR, and CTSL expression in the HNSCC cell line was determined via qRT-PCR. Following the model risk score, patients were grouped into high- or low-risk groups. The results of the survival analysis showed that the high-risk group’s overall survival time was considerably shorter in comparison to the low-risk group (P <0.001). Nomograms were established and calibration curves were verified using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. It was found that autophagy-related gene signatures were more effective as independent prognostic indicators than other single indicators. The selected autophagy-related gene signature was linked to the overall survival time of HNSCC patients. qRT-PCR results showed that FADD, EGFR, and CTSL genes dispalyed obvious upregulation in HNSCC cell line. The current study provides potential prognostic markers for predicting clinical HNSCC prognosis. Our data suggests potential clinical applications of HNSCC autophagy markers.