Abstract B38: Identification of stage-wise miRNAs signature as potential biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the predominant causes of cancer-related casualties globally. The high mortality rate of HNSCC is due to late diagnosis, and the overall survival rate is less than 50%. The early detection of a primary tumor and prevention of relapse are the major research challenges associated with various cancer including HNSCC. However, currently, not one molecular marker has been widely accepted for routine use in managing patients with HNSCC. Therefore, a study relating the association between clinical stages and different coding/noncoding expression profiles is very much required to identify the potential biomarker for early detection and therapeutics. In the current study, we have analyzed TCGA transcriptomics (i.e., miRNAs, mRNAs) profile to extract meaningful molecular signature in different TNM stages of HNSCC. Further, we used machine learning and other regression approaches to identify the signature miRNAs as a biomarker in various stages of cancer. The analysis revealed uncovered miRNAs with stage-dependent alterations in expression (has-miR-31, miR-143, miR-202, miR-135b, let-7, etc.) specifically expressed in early clinical stages whereas (miR-636, miR-1, miR-99a and miR-3934) specifically expressed in later stages. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis also revealed that some of the identified miRNA used as a potential prognostic biomarker. The top enriched regulatory genes involved in ECM degradation, Nicotine Degradation III, EMT, Integrin signaling and IL-10 in early stages were at later stage pathways, i.e., glucose metabolism. The combination of stage-specific miRNAs could be used for the target of oncogenesis and chemoresistance pathways. Initial stage biomarkers may prove to be essential tools in the timely diagnosis of the disease and improved overall survival outcome. We hope the current study for biomarker identification will open new opportunities for the development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic drug for HNSCC in the future.

Citation Format: Sugandh Kumar, Anshuman Dixit. Identification of stage-wise miRNAs signature as potential biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-AHNS Head and Neck Cancer Conference: Optimizing Survival and Quality of Life through Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research; 2019 Apr 29-30; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(12_Suppl_2):Abstract nr B38.