Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40264050›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2025

Deciphering a proliferation-essential gene signature based on CRISPR-Cas9 screening to predict prognosis and characterize the immune microenvironment in HNSCC.

Ke-Ling Pang, Pian Li, Xiang-Rong Yao, Wen-Tao Xiao, Xing Ren, Jun-Yan He

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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

6 authors.

Ke-Ling Pang *Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.
Pian Li *Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.
Xiang-Rong YaoDepartment of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.
Wen-Tao XiaoDepartment of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.
Xing RenClinical Laboratory Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China. renxing53163@163.com.
Jun-Yan HeDepartment of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China. junyan_he@126.com.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 82304083Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province 2023JJ40584
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Identifying reliable prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets is crucial for improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to systematically identify proliferation-essential genes (PEGs) associated with HNSCC prognosis using CRISPR-Cas9 screening data.

methodsCRISPR-Cas9 screening data from the DepMap database were used to identify PEGs in HNSCC cells. A prognostic PEGs signature was constructed using univariate Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression, and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The predictive accuracy of the signature was validated in internal and external datasets. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and immune infiltration analysis were used to investigate the underlying mechanism between high and low-risk patients. Random forest analysis and functional experiments were conducted to investigate the role of key proliferation essential genes in HNSCC progression.

resultsA total of 1511 PEGs were identified. A seven-gene prognostic PEGs signature (MRPL33, NAT10, PSMC1, PSMD11, RPN2, TAF7, and ZNF335) was developed and validated, demonstrating robust prognostic performance in stratifying HNSCC patients by survival risk. WGCNA and GSEA analyses revealed a marked downregulation of immune-related pathways in high-risk patients. Immune infiltration analysis validated those high-risk patients had reduced immune scores, stromal scores, and ESTIMATE scores, as well as decreased infiltration of multiple immune cell types. Among the identified genes, PSMC1 was highlighted as a pivotal regulator of HNSCC proliferation and migration, as confirmed by functional experiments.

conclusionsThis study identifies a novel PEGs signature that effectively predicts HNSCC prognosis and stratifies patients by survival risk. PSMC1 was identified as a key gene promoting malignant progression, offering potential as a therapeutic target for HNSCC.

Indexed as

Biomarkers, TumorCRISPR-Cas SystemsGenes, EssentialHead and Neck NeoplasmsSquamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and NeckTumor MicroenvironmentCell ProliferationFemaleGene Expression ProfilingGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticGene Regulatory NetworksHumansMalePrognosisBiomarkers, TumorCRISPR-Cas9 screeningHead and neck squamous cell carcinomaPrognostic signatureProliferation-essential genesPSMC1Tumor immune microenvironment

Identifiers

PMID40264050
PMCPMC12016166

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.