RNA sequencing and multiplexed immunohistochemistry reveal the factors for postoperative recurrence of stage IB-IIA cervical squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Abstract Background Stage IB-IIA Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma (CSCC) presents diverse clinical outcomes, the mechanisms that cause recurrence in CC patients remain unclear. The goal of this study was to identify predictive biomarkers leading to tumor recurrence in IB-IIA CSCC after surgical treatment by comparing the transcriptional and immune landscape between the recurrence and non-recurrence group. Methods We performed mRNA sequencing and multiplexed immunohistochemistry (mIHC) analysis among stage IB-IIA patients with or without recurrence after surgical resection and were followed-up for a median of three years. Results Integrated analysis indicates that the upregulated gene expression in zinc finger proteins, the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, and the low infiltration level of T follicular helper cells and B-cells may serve as potential recurrent biomarkers for CSCC. We also observed significant differences in the immune and genomic landscape between two groups. Conclusions These findings provide new insights into the relapse mechanisms of CSCC, which could potentially guide clinical exploration of drug targets.

Keywords

• Cervical cancer
• RNA sequencing
• Multiplexed immunohistochemistry
• Immune cell
• Prognosis biomarkers