Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40068384›Full record

ArticleTranslational oncology2025

Single-cell insights into HNSCC tumor heterogeneity and programmed cell death pathways.

Yuanhao Chai, Jianlin Zhang, Wenwen Shao, Ziwei Zhang

Abstract read
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Article in Translational oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Yuanhao ChaiDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
Jianlin ZhangDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Wenwen ShaoShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
Ziwei ZhangDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: andreavaimukas@sjtu.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prevalent malignancy often diagnosed in advanced stages. Despite advancements in therapy, it retains a high mortality rate and significant recurrence risk. This study utilizes single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq) to unravel HNSCC's complexity, identify therapeutic targets, and refine prognostic models.

methodsPseudotime trajectory and stemness analyses were performed on HNSCC tumor subpopulations, focusing on the C2 MALAT1+ Tumors subpopulation, which had the lowest CytoTRACE Score and represented the Lineage 2 endpoint in Slingshot analysis. The study examined programmed death and metabolic pathways in each subpopulation and developed a novel prognostic model using LASSO regression.

resultsThe C2 MALAT1+ Tumors subpopulation exhibited reduced expression of programmed death pathways (e.g., Entotic cell death, Apoptosis, Pyroptosis) and metabolic pathways (e.g., Riboflavin metabolism, Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis). Key transcription factors included LEF1, RFX3, CREM, MZF1, and ZNF202. Prognostic models based on the MALAT1 Tumors Risk Score (MTRS) revealed worse survival and higher tumor purity in the high MTRS group. Risk genes included ADM, RPL31, EIF5B, and TAF7. Additionally, activated CD4 memory T cells were enriched in the high MTRS group, which also showed greater sensitivity to Cisplatin, Docetaxel, and Paclitaxel.

conclusionsScRNA-seq revealed the heterogeneity of HNSCC subpopulations, highlighting the unique features of the C2 MALAT1+ Tumors subpopulation. This study identified novel prognostic markers and therapeutic targets, offering insights into HNSCC progression, drug resistance, and potential treatments.

Indexed as

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)MALAT1Prognostic modelsProgrammed cell deathsingle-cell sequencing

Identifiers

PMID40068384
PMCPMC11931390

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