Identification of hub lncRNAs in head and neck cancer based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis and experiments

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks as the sixth most common cancer among systemic malignant tumors, with 600 000 new cases occurring every year worldwide. Since HNSCC has high heterogeneity and complex pathogenesis, no effective prognostic indicator has yet been identified. Here, we aimed to identify a lncRNA signature associated with the prognosis of HNSCC as a potential new biomarker. LncRNA expression data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. A polygenic risk score model was constructed by using Lasso–Cox regression analysis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was applied to analyze the co-expression modules of lncRNAs associated with the prognosis of HNSCC. The robustness of the signature was validated in testing and external cohorts. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the expression levels of identified lncRNAs in cancer and adjacent tissues. We constructed an 8-lncRNA signature (LINC00567, LINC00996, MTOR-AS1, PRKG1-AS1, RAB11B-AS1, RPS6KA2-AS1, SH3BP5-AS1, ZNF451-AS1) that could be used as an independent prognostic factor of HNSCC. The signature showed strong robustness and had stable prediction performance in different cohorts. WGCNA results showed that modules related to risk score mainly participated in biological processes such as blood vessel development, positive regulation of catabolic processes, and regulation of growth. The prognostic risk score model based on lncRNA for HNSCC may help clinicians conduct individualized treatment plans.