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Prognostic Significance of Senescence-related TME Genes in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

01-31-2024

“These findings provided evidence for the role of senescence in the tumor microenvironment [...]”

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BUFFALO, NY- January 31, 2024 – A new research paper was published on the cover of Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 2, entitled, “Prognostic significance of senescence-related tumor microenvironment genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.”

The impact of the senescence related microenvironment on cancer prognosis and therapeutic response remains poorly understood. In this new study, researchers Young Chan Lee, Yonghyun Nam, Minjeong Kim, Su Il Kim, Jung-Woo Lee, Young-Gyu Eun, and Dokyoon Kim from Kyung Hee University, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, and the University of Pennsylvania investigated the prognostic significance of senescence related tumor microenvironment genes (PSTGs) and their potential implications for immunotherapy response. 

Using the Cancer Genome Atlas- head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) data, the researchers identified two subtypes based on the expression of PSTGs, acquired from tumor-associated senescence genes, tumor microenvironment (TME)-related genes, and immune-related genes, using consensus clustering. Using the LASSO, they constructed a risk model consisting of senescence related TME core genes (STCGs). The two subtypes exhibited significant differences in prognosis, genetic alterations, methylation patterns, and enriched pathways, and immune infiltration. 

“Our risk model stratified patients into high-risk and low-risk groups and validated in independent cohorts.”

The high-risk group showed poorer prognosis and immune inactivation, suggesting reduced responsiveness to immunotherapy. Additionally, the team observed a significant enrichment of STCGs in stromal cells using single-cell RNA transcriptome data. Their findings highlight the importance of the senescence related TME in HNSC prognosis and response to immunotherapy. 

“This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between senescence and the TME, with potential implications for precision medicine and personalized treatment approaches in HNSC.”

Read the full study: DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.205346

Corresponding Authors: Young-Gyu Eun, Dokyoon Kim - ygeun@khu.ac.kr, dokyoon.kim@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Keywords: cellular senescence, head and neck cancer, immunotherapy, microenvironment, single cell

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The mission of the journal is to understand the mechanisms surrounding aging and age-related diseases, including cancer as the main cause of death in the modern aged population.

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