Prognostic Value of CAV1 and CAV2 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: The CAV family, especially CAV1 and CAV2, is significantly associated with tumor development. In this study, we aimed to explore the pathogenic and prognostic roles of CAV1 and CAV2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) through bioinformatic analysis and verified in human tissue. Methods: We analyzed expression profiles of CAV1 and CAV2 in HNSCC and in normal tissues via data from The Cancer Genome Altas. Prognostic significance was examined by Kaplan–Meier survival curve obtained from the Xena browser together with Cox regression analysis. Co-expressed genes were uploaded to GeneMANIA and applied to Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses, showing interaction networks. Signaling pathways of CAV1 and CAV2 in HNSCC were analyzed by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis to elucidate potential regulatory mechanisms. Gene–drug interaction network was explored via Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. Immunohistochemistry was performed to verify theoretical results. Results: Compared with normal tissues, expression levels of CAV1 and CAV2 were remarkably higher in HNSCC (p p = 0.027; CAV2: HR: 1.408, p = 0.002). Co-expressed genes (PXN, ITGA3, TES, and MET) were identified and analyzed by FunRich with CAV1 and CAV2, revealing a significant correlation with focal adhesion (p p p p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results revealed that CAV1 and CAV2 are typically upregulated in HNSCC and might predict poor prognosis.

Keywords

• bioinformatic analysis
• CAV1
• CAV2
• head and neck squamous cell cancer
• immune infiltration
• prognosis