Identification and Validation of an EMT-Related LncRNA Signature for HNSCC to Predict Survival and Immune Landscapes

Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized as decisive factors in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and they participate in the epithelial–mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of HNSCC. LncRNAs are closely related to the prognosis of patients with HNSCC; thus, it is essential to identify EMT-related lncRNAs with prognostic value for HNSCC. The coexpression network of EMT-related lncRNAs was constructed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). An EMT-related eight-lncRNA-based prognostic signature was constructed using LASSO Cox regression and Cox proportional hazards analyses. Univariate and multivariate analyses and stratified prognosis confirmed that the prognostic signature was an independent predictive factor. Subsequently, we performed immune cell infiltration analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) pathway enrichment analysis to uncover the potential molecular mechanisms of prognostic differences in the high- and low-risk groups. Next, we discussed the relationship between the prognostic signature and immune checkpoint-related genes, their TIDE scores, and the sensitivity of common chemotherapeutics. Finally, we further verified the expression differences in lncRNAs that were included in our signature via RT–qPCR in eighteen paired tissues. In summary, this prognostic signature provides powerful prognostic biomarkers for HNSCC and could serve as a predictor for the sensitivity of common chemotherapeutics and immunotherapy responses as well as providing a reference for further personalized treatment.