Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42743206›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

PANoptosis-based HNSCPAN-index predicts prognosis and reveals DSCAM as a therapeutic target in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Yekai Feng, Yonghang Zhang, Haibo Ou, Qinglai Tang, Xiaojun Tang, Miao Zeng, Tao Chen, Yuming Zhang, Shisheng Li

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Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Yekai FengThe 2nd Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Oncoplastic Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Yonghang ZhangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Haibo OuThe 2nd Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Oncoplastic Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Qinglai TangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Xiaojun TangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Miao ZengOperation Department, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Tao ChenDepartment of Anesthesia, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Yuming ZhangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Shisheng LiDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5874-6049

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo establish a prognostic PANoptosis-related gene signature in HNSCC and elucidate the role of Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (DSCAM) in regulating tumor progression and immune evasion.

methodsDifferential expression and prognostic analyses were performed to define HNSCC subtypes based on PANoptosis-related genes. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression was applied to construct the HNSCPAN-index, which stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups. The predictive performance of this index was validated in independent cohorts. Associations with immune infiltration, mutation profiles, and drug sensitivity were also examined. Functional validation of DSCAM was conducted through in vitro and in vivo experiments.

resultsSix prognostically significant genes were identified and integrated into the HNSCPAN-index, which demonstrated independent prognostic value. Immunological landscape analysis showed that the low-risk group defined by the HNSCPAN-index was enriched in CD8+ T cells, follicular helper T cells, and memory-activated CD4+ T cells. Consistently, immune, stromal, and microenvironmental scores were significantly higher in the low-risk group. DSCAM knockdown suppressed proliferation and migration of HNSCC cell lines. Knockdown of DSCAM promotes PANoptosis by inhibiting the activity of the PI3K/AKT pathway. In vivo, DSCAM depletion inhibited tumor growth and enhanced CD8+ T cell infiltration.

conclusionsThe HNSCPAN-index may serve as a potential biomarker for prognostic stratification and prediction of therapeutic responses in HNSCC.

Indexed as

Cell Adhesion MoleculesHead and Neck NeoplasmsSquamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and NeckAnimalsBiomarkers, TumorCell Line, TumorCell ProliferationFemaleGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansMaleMiceMiddle AgedPrognosisBiomarkers, TumorCell Adhesion Molecules

Identifiers

PMID42743206
PMCPMC13577361

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