Proteomic analysis reveals key differences between squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas across multiple tissues

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) are two main histological subtypes of solid cancer; however, SCCs are derived from different organs with similar morphologies, and it is challenging to distinguish the origin of metastatic SCCs. Here we report a deep proteomic analysis of 333 SCCs of 17 organs and 69 ACs of 7 organs. Proteomic comparison between SCCs and ACs identifies distinguishable pivotal pathways and molecules in those pathways play consistent adverse or opposite prognostic roles in ACs and SCCs. A comparison between common and rare SCCs highlights lipid metabolism may reinforce the malignancy of rare SCCs. Proteomic clusters reveal anatomical features, and kinase-transcription factor networks indicate differential SCC characteristics, while immune subtyping reveals diverse tumor microenvironments across and within diagnoses and identified potential druggable targets. Furthermore, tumor-specific proteins provide candidates with differentially diagnostic values. This proteomics architecture represents a public resource for researchers seeking a better understanding of SCCs and ACs.