Molecular mechanisms and prognostic markers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a bioinformatic analysis

The purpose of the present study was to enhance understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Microarray datasets were obtained from the gene expression omnibus database. By a bioinformatics method, 109 differentially expressed genes were identified between the two mRNA datasets, and these genes were classified primarily into biological process, molecular function, or cellular component. In the protein-protein interaction network analysis, top 20 hub genes were identified, and five (SERPINE1, SERPINH1, SPP1, PLAU and MMP1) of them were associated with the prognosis of HNSCC patients. Immunohistochemistry result also showed that the expression of the proteins encoded by these five genes were significantly upregulated in HNSCC, matching the bioinformatics analysis. Moreover, 28 differentially expressed miRNAs were also identified, with miR-196a and miR-1 being most upregulated and downregulated respectively. Our results provide potential biomarkers for HNSCC and may improve understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying HNSCC.