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Updated: Sep 12, 2025
Nuclei Isolation from Fresh Frozen Brain Tumors for Single-Nucleus RNA-seq and ATAC-seq
Published on: August 25, 2020
Integrating single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics reveals the therapeutic effect of nitazoxanide in
Xiaohua Jiang1, Liqi Chen2, Zixia Xu2
1Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, 310016, China.
Background:
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prevalent and deadly cancer with limited treatment options, for which autophagy has a dual impact. Nitazoxanide is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug showing promise in treating cancer, but its role in regulating autophagy in HNSCC remains unexplored.
Materials And Methods:
The molecular mechanisms were explored through Differential expression analysis, functional enrichment analysis, risk prognostic model, nomogram model, GSEA, GSVA, WGCNA, mutation analysis, scRNA analysis, spatial transcriptomic analysis, and L1000FWD analysis. And the impact of Nitazoxanide was experimentally verified.
Results:
We identified 32 differentially expressed ARGs and 4 hub genes. They are involved in autophagy, apoptosis, and human cytomegalovirus infection. And hub genes were identified as independent prognostic factors for HNSCC. GSEA, GSVA and WGCNA uncovered the role of the dysregulation of IFN-α response pathway in HNSCC. scRNA and spatial transcriptomic analyses revealed the expression models of each hub gene. Furthermore, potential drugs were explored using L1000FWD analysis. Additionally, Nitazoxanide's function was verified in vitro.
Conclusion:
Our findings established that Nitazoxanide has the potential to play a role in the treatment of HNSCC. We suggested that Nitazoxanide acts on NKX2-3, PINK1, BIRC5 and CDKN2A to inhibit the development of HNSCC through regulating autophagy, and it is a promising candidate drug for HNSCC.
Insights
Nitazoxanide shows promise for treating Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) by regulating autophagy. This study identified key genes and verified Nitazoxanide
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) presents significant treatment challenges.
- Autophagy plays a complex role in HNSCC progression.
- Nitazoxanide, an antiviral, has potential anti-cancer properties yet to be explored in HNSCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms of HNSCC.
- To explore the role of autophagy in HNSCC.
- To evaluate Nitazoxanide's efficacy and mechanism in HNSCC treatment.
Main Methods:
- Differential gene expression analysis, functional enrichment, and prognostic modeling.
- Genomic analyses including WGCNA, scRNA, and spatial transcriptomics.
- In vitro experimental verification of Nitazoxanide's effects.
Main Results:
- Identified 32 differentially expressed ARGs and 4 hub genes crucial for HNSCC prognosis.
- Uncovered dysregulation of the IFN-α response pathway.
- Confirmed Nitazoxanide's inhibitory effect on HNSCC development in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Nitazoxanide demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for HNSCC.
- Nitazoxanide targets NKX2-3, PINK1, BIRC5, and CDKN2A to modulate autophagy and inhibit HNSCC.
- Nitazoxanide is a promising candidate drug for HNSCC treatment.
