Identification of potential molecular mechanisms and prognostic markers for oral squamous cell carcinoma: A bioinformatics analysis
Issued Date
2023-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
22310762
eISSN
22501002
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85180649716
Journal Title
Journal of International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry
Volume
13
Issue
3
Start Page
237
End Page
246
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry Vol.13 No.3 (2023) , 237-246
Suggested Citation
Chujan S., Kitkumthorn N., Satayavivad J. Identification of potential molecular mechanisms and prognostic markers for oral squamous cell carcinoma: A bioinformatics analysis. Journal of International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry Vol.13 No.3 (2023) , 237-246. 246. doi:10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_15_23 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/102462
Title
Identification of potential molecular mechanisms and prognostic markers for oral squamous cell carcinoma: A bioinformatics analysis
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Author's Affiliation
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Abstract
Aims and Objectives: The goal of this study was to uncover crucial biochemical pathways, prognostic indicators, and therapeutic targets in patients with oral cancer in order to enhance therapy strategies. Materials and Methods: Five gene expression omnibus datasets were analyzed by using bioinformatics approaches to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). To determine biological alterations, gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses were implied using the identified DEGs. Hub genes were determined using protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and an interactome was constructed using NetworkAnalyst. Furthermore, five hub genes were evaluated for use as prognostic markers by using the human protein atlas (HPA) and the GEPIA2.0 database. In addition, the correlations between hub-gene expression and immune cell infiltration of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tumors were analyzed using the tumor immune estimation resource (TIMER) database. Results: A total of 2071 upregulated genes and 1893 downregulated genes were identified. GO and pathway analysis showed DEGs were enriched in multiple immune response terms and interaction of inflammatory cytokines. From the PPI network, five hub genes were identified that have a crucial role in OSCC. These included interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7), TNF receptor superfamily member 17 (TNFRSF17), CD27, and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 4 (S1PR4), which were predicted to be favorable prognostic markers for OSCC using HPA. Overall survival analysis revealed that low expression of the five hub genes was significantly associated with worse overall survival. Our analysis of tumor-associated immune infiltration revealed that increased IRF4 expression was positively correlated with the gene expression profiles suggestive of infiltration of all immune cell types, whereas increased CCR7 expression was negatively correlated with neutrophil infiltration. Increased expression of CD27, S1PR4, and TNFRSF17 was found to be negatively correlated with dendritic cell, M0 macrophage, and neutrophil infiltration. Conclusion: In summary, inflammation, and the immune response play an important role in OSCC. All five hub genes were good predictors of OSCC prognosis, suggesting that they could be used as potential therapeutic targets and tumor markers.