Long non-coding RNA LOC541471: A novel prognostic biomarker for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive cancer. Early detection and management of HNSCC may prevent progression of the disease. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may serve as prognostic biomarkers for various cancer types. The current study downloaded an RNA-Seq dataset containing 43 tumor-normal pairs. An independent t-test identified that the expression level of lncRNA LOC541471 was significantly increased in tumor tissues compared with healthy tissues. Additionally, the current study demonstrated that high lncRNA LOC541471 expression was significantly associated with increasing lymph node metastasis classification and perineural invasion. A multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that high lncRNA LOC541471 expression levels were an independent predictor for reduced overall survival (n=487) and relapse-free survival (n=355). According to the anatomic neoplasm subdivision, HNSCC samples were classified as oropharyngeal carcinoma (n=297), oral carcinoma (n=80), laryngeal carcinoma and hypopharyngeal carcinoma (n=123). A negative association was revealed between lncRNA LOC541471 expression and overall survival in all subtypes of HNSCC. Therefore, lncRNA LOC541471 is significantly negatively associated with overall survival and relapse-free survival of patients with HNSCC and may be considered a potential prognostic factor for HNSCC.