Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Analyzing Tumor Gene Expression Factors with the CorExplorer Web Portal
Published on: October 11, 2019
Identification and analysis of immune cell-related genes in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and drug network
Baoyun Wang1, Deyi Zheng2, Jiao Du2
1Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, 550002, China. 727227148@qq.com.
Abstract:
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a malignant skin tumor characterized by the abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes. Immune cells have a very important role in the development of CSCC. Hence, it was vital to screen the immune cell-related biomarkers for the treatment of CSCC. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and immune infiltration analysis were utilised to obtain key immune cells. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to screen key module genes related to immune cell. At the same time, differential analysis was performed to find the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CSCC and normal samples. The candidate genes related to immune cell in CSCC patients were certificated by Venn diagram. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were selected for identifying biomarkers of CSCC. We further performed immunotherapy analysis between two expression subgroups based on single gene. Following by this, the DRUGBANK database was applied to explore the interactions between biomarkers and available therapeutic agents. Finally, the expression of biomarkers was verified through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A total of 4 key immune cells (M0 macrophages, resting dendritic cells, resting mast cells, and activated mast cells) were identified. Furthermore, we obtained 982 key module genes related to immune cell. Meanwhile, 646 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Hence, 63 candidate genes related to immune cell were selected by Venn diagram. Then, we identified six biomarkers (SLC27A2, ACOX2, PECR, CRAT, FADS1 and ELOVL5) were screened. High expression group of biomarkers showed relatively high expression of immune checkpoints. Additionally, we found 10 drugs with potential therapeutic value targeting biomarkers. Eventually, the lower expression of biomarkers in tumor group was observed, which was consistent with the result from public databases. Overall, we obtained six immune cell-related biomarkers (SLC27A2, ACOX2, PECR, CRAT, FADS1 and ELOVL5) associated with CSCC, which laid a theoretical foundation for the treatment of CSCC.
Insights
This study identifies six immune cell-related biomarkers (SLC27A2, ACOX2, PECR, CRAT, FADS1, ELOVL5) for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). These biomarkers show potential for CSCC treatment and drug development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Genomics
Background:
- Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a prevalent skin cancer.
- Immune cell involvement is critical in CSCC development and progression.
- Identifying immune-related biomarkers is crucial for effective CSCC treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen and identify novel immune cell-related biomarkers for CSCC.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of identified biomarkers and associated drugs.
- To validate the expression of biomarkers in CSCC tissues.
Main Methods:
- Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and immune infiltration analysis to identify key immune cells.
- Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to find immune cell-related genes.
- Differential gene expression analysis, Venn diagrams, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks to identify candidate biomarkers.
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for biomarker validation and drug discovery using the DRUGBANK database.
- Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for expression verification.
Main Results:
- Four key immune cells (M0 macrophages, resting dendritic cells, resting mast cells, activated mast cells) were identified.
- Six potential biomarkers (SLC27A2, ACOX2, PECR, CRAT, FADS1, ELOVL5) were screened and validated.
- Biomarker high expression correlated with immune checkpoint expression.
- Ten potential therapeutic drugs targeting these biomarkers were identified.
- Biomarkers showed lower expression in CSCC tumor tissues compared to normal tissues.
Conclusions:
- Six immune cell-related biomarkers (SLC27A2, ACOX2, PECR, CRAT, FADS1, ELOVL5) were identified for CSCC.
- These biomarkers offer a theoretical basis for CSCC treatment and targeted drug development.
- Further research into these biomarkers could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for CSCC.
Related Concept Videos
02:18Cancer
02:26Protein Networks
These interactions can be represented through maps depicting protein-protein interaction networks, represented as nodes and edges. Nodes are circles that are representative of a protein,...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...