利用 TCGA 数据库和临床标本研究长链非编码 RNA 在头颈部鳞状细胞癌中的诊断潜力。

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prevalent and prognostically challenging cancer worldwide. The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer regulation is progressively being understood. This study aims to identify lncRNAs with diagnostic potential as biomarkers for HNSCC. Statistical analysis was performed on expression data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to identify potential lncRNAs associated with HNSCC. Four selected lncRNAs were validated using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and correlated with clinical factors. Functional roles were further investigated. A total of 488 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified in TCGA-HNSC. After rigorous evaluation based on p-values, survival analysis, and ROC analysis, 24 lncRNAs were prioritized for additional investigation. LINC00460, LINC00941, CTC-241F20.4, and RP11-357H14.17 were established as candidate diagnostic biomarkers. These lncRNAs exhibited elevated expression in HNSCC tissues and were associated with poor prognosis. Combining them showed high diagnostic accuracy. Notably, LINC00460 and CTC-241F20.4 demonstrated a significant elevation in the advanced stages of HNSCC. We constructed an lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network, and the array of significant regulatory pathways identified included focal adhesion, regulation of epithelial cell migration, and others. Additionally, these lncRNAs were found to influence immune responses by modulating immune cell infiltration in the HNSCC microenvironment. Our research indicates that LINC00460, LINC00941, RP11-357H14.17, and CTC-241F20.4 may have diagnostic and prognostic importance in HNSCC. Furthermore, we have gained insights into their potential functional roles, particularly about immune responses and interactions in the microenvironment.

头颈部鳞状细胞癌（HNSCC）是一种普遍存在且预后具有挑战性的癌症。长链非编码 RNA（lncRNA）在癌症调控中的作用逐渐被理解。本研究旨在鉴定具有诊断潜力的 lncRNA 作为 HNSCC 的生物标志物。

对癌症基因组图谱（TCGA）数据库中的表达数据进行了统计分析，以鉴定与 HNSCC 相关的潜在 lncRNA。使用实时定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR）验证了 4 个选定的 lncRNA，并与临床因素相关联。进一步研究了其功能作用。

在 TCGA-HNSC 中鉴定出 488 个差异表达的 lncRNA。经过基于 p 值、生存分析和 ROC 分析的严格评估，有 24 个 lncRNA 被优先进一步研究。LINC00460、LINC00941、CTC-241F20.4 和 RP11-357H14.17 被确定为候选诊断生物标志物。这些 lncRNA 在 HNSCC 组织中表达升高，与预后不良相关。联合使用这些 lncRNA 可提高诊断准确性。值得注意的是，LINC00460 和 CTC-241F20.4 在 HNSCC 的晚期阶段显著升高。我们构建了一个 lncRNA-mRNA 调控网络，鉴定出的显著调控途径包括焦点黏附、上皮细胞迁移的调节等。此外，这些 lncRNA 还通过调节 HNSCC 微环境中的免疫细胞浸润来影响免疫反应。

我们的研究表明，LINC00460、LINC00941、RP11-357H14.17 和 CTC-241F20.4 在 HNSCC 中可能具有诊断和预后的重要性。此外，我们还深入了解了它们的潜在功能作用，特别是在微环境中的免疫反应和相互作用。