Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40575157›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in oncology2025

Identification and prognostic analysis of propionate metabolism-related genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Shitong Zhou, Yu Jiang, Panhui Xiong, Zhongwan Li, Lifeng Jia, Wei Yuan, Xiufu Liao, Xiang An, Jie Hu, Rui Luo and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

13 authors.

Shitong ZhouDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Yu JiangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Panhui XiongDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Zhongwan LiDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
Lifeng JiaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
Wei YuanDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
Xiufu LiaoDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
Xiang AnDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
Jie HuDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
Rui LuoDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
Hailan MoDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
Hongyan FangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
Yucheng YangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy with poor overall prognosis. Recent studies have suggested that propionate metabolism-related genes (PMRGs) may play key roles in tumor progression and immune regulation, yet their functions in HNSCC remain unclear. Methods: Transcriptomic data from 502 HNSCC tumor samples and 44 normal tissue samples were obtained from the UCSC Xena database as the training set. Two independent datasets (GSE41613 and GSE6631) from the GEO database were used for validation. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs), key module genes identified via weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and PMRGs were intersected to identify candidate genes. A prognostic model was constructed using Cox regression and LASSO analysis. Immune infiltration, somatic mutations, and drug sensitivity were compared between high- and low-risk groups. Gene expression was further validated by RT-qPCR using clinical samples. Results: A total of 42 intersecting genes were identified, and four feature genes (PRKAA2, SLC7A5, GRIP2, CHGB) were selected to build the prognostic model. The model effectively stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups with significant survival differences in both the training and validation cohorts. The high-risk group exhibited marked differences in immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint expression, and cancer immune cycle activity. Mutation burden and drug sensitivity also varied significantly between risk groups. A nomogram combining risk score and pathological N stage showed strong predictive performance. Discussion: This study highlights the potential role of PMRGs in immune regulation and tumor progression in HNSCC. The proposed four-gene signature provides a novel tool for prognosis prediction and offers new insights for risk stratification and individualized therapy. Further multicenter validation and mechanistic studies are warranted.

Indexed as

head and neck squamous cell carcinomaimmune evasionmetabolic reprogrammingprognostic risk modelpropionate metabolism-related genes

Identifiers

PMID40575157
PMCPMC12198198

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