Screening the key genes of prognostic value in the microenvironment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth common malignancy worldwide. The tumor microenvironment is highly related to tumor initiation, progression, and prognosis. This study aims to screen the tumor microenvironment related key genes of prognostic value for HNSCC. The gene expression and clinical data for HNSCC were downloaded from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA). The immune/stromal/ESTIMATE scores were downloaded from the website of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Correlation of patient gender and tumor grade with immune/stromal/ESTIMATE score was tested. Patients were divided into low and high immune/stromal/ESTIMATE score subgroups. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate the prognostic value of the immune/stromal/ESTIMATE score. Tumor microenvironment related differentially expressed genes were determined and applied for functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network was predicted. The prediction value of the common differentially expressed genes on patient survival was tested. Four hundred eighty samples with complete clinical, expression data, and immune/stromal/ESTIMATE scores were enrolled for analysis. Immune/stromal/ESTIMATE score was higher in female patients than males. A total of 44 common differentially expressed genes were screened in high and low immune/stromal/ESTIMATE score subgroups. Of the 44 genes, 7 genes (ADGRG7, CSN3, CST8, KRT81, MUC7, MYH6, and SEZ6) were found to be closely related to patient survival. Enrichment analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes mainly enriched in the protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway, extracellular region, G-protein coupled receptor activity, salivary secretion, and regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed that POSTN and OGN were crucial microenvironments related genes. Tumor microenvironment related genes ADGRG7, CSN3, CST8, KRT81, MUC7, MYH6, and SEZ6 are valuable predictors for HNSCC patient survival. POSTN and OGN are crucial in modulating the microenvironment and tumor biology for HNSCC.