Feng Bohai, Zhao Di, Zhang Zheng, Jia Ru, Schuler Patrick J, Hess Jochen
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
NPJ Precis Oncol. 2025 Feb 28;9(1):57. doi: 10.1038/s41698-025-00844-6.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is a prevalent malignancy, with HPV-negative tumors exhibiting aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. Understanding the intricate interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for improving prognostic models and identifying therapeutic targets. Using BulkSignalR, we identified ligand-receptor interactions in HPV-negative TCGA-HNSC cohort (n = 395). A prognostic model incorporating 14 ligand-receptor pairs was developed using random forest survival analysis and LASSO-penalized Cox regression based on overall survival and progression-free interval of HPV-negative tumors from TCGA-HNSC. Multi-omics analysis revealed distinct molecular features between risk groups, including differences in extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, immune infiltration, and APOBEC enzyme activity. Deep learning-based tissue morphology analysis on HE-stained whole slide images further improved risk stratification, with region selection via Silicon enhancing accuracy. The integration of routine histopathology with deep learning and multi-omics data offers a clinically accessible tool for precise risk stratification, facilitating personalized treatment strategies in HPV-negative HNSC.
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