Objectives

Laryngeal cancer is a common malignant tumor that originates from the larynx, yet its molecular mechanisms have not been thoroughly explored. The purpose of this study was to identify and evaluate immune-related genes in laryngeal cancer through gene co-expression networks, which may serve as biomarkers for its immunotherapy.

Methods

We applied ESTIMATE to evaluate the immune-infiltration landscape of tumor microenvironment. The co-expression networks were constructed by weighted gene co expression network analysis (WGCNA) and compared with the existing human immune related genes (IRGs) to determine the co-expressed IRGs. GSVA combined with CIBERSORT and ssGSEA illustrated the correlation of hub genes and immune infiltration patterns. TIDE algorithm and Subclass mapping evaluated the function of hub genes in predicting immune function and immunotherapeutic sensitivity. The pRRophetic was employed in the sensitivity prediction of chemotherapeutic drugs.

Results

A total of 23 co-expressed IRGs were identified and showed robust expression characteristics. These genes were significantly related to immune infiltration patterns, immune function and sensitivity prediction of immunotherapy and chemotherapeutic drugs for laryngeal cancer patients. Genetic alteration in somatic mutation level and related pathways were also revealed.

Conclusion

The 23 co-expressed IRGs may act as immunotherapeutic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for laryngeal cancer with certain expression robustness. The molecular mechanisms deserve further investigation, which will guide clinical treatment in the future.

中文翻译：

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探索和验证强大的共表达免疫相关基因对喉癌免疫浸润模式和预后的影响。

目标

喉癌是起源于喉部的常见恶性肿瘤，但其分子机制尚未得到充分探索。这项研究的目的是通过基因共表达网络来鉴定和评估喉癌中与免疫相关的基因，这可能是其免疫治疗的生物标记。

方法

我们应用ESTIMATE评估肿瘤微环境的免疫浸润情况。共表达网络通过加权基因共表达网络分析（WGCNA）构建，并与现有的人类免疫相关基因（IRG）进行比较，以确定共表达的IRG。GSVA与CIBERSORT和ssGSEA的结合说明了轮毂基因与免疫浸润模式的相关性。TIDE算法和子类映射评估了轮毂基因在预测免疫功能和免疫治疗敏感性中的功能。该方法用于化学疗法药物的敏感性预测。

结果

总共鉴定出23个共表达的IRG，它们显示出稳定的表达特征。这些基因与喉癌患者的免疫浸润模式，免疫功能以及免疫疗法和化学治疗药物的敏感性预测密切相关。还揭示了体细胞突变水平和相关途径的遗传改变。

结论

23种共表达的IRGs具有一定的表达稳健性，可以作为喉癌的免疫治疗生物标志物和潜在的治疗靶标。分子机制值得进一步研究，这将指导将来的临床治疗。