Multi-Omics Analysis and Experimental Validation Identify RAD51 as a Key Biomarker in OSCC

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive cancer with poor outcomes.
• The role of RAD51 recombinase (RAD51) in OSCC progression is not fully understood.
• RAD51 is a key DNA repair protein implicated in various cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the function and regulatory mechanisms of RAD51 in OSCC.
• To evaluate RAD51 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in OSCC.
• To elucidate RAD51's impact on OSCC malignant phenotypes, immune infiltration, and chemosensitivity.

Main Methods:

• Integrated multiomics analysis (differential expression, single-cell transcriptomics, prognostic evaluation, immune infiltration).
• Functional enrichment analysis.
• Experimental validation using RAD51 knockdown in OSCC cell line HSC-3, followed by functional assays (proliferation, migration, invasion, ROS, chemosensitivity).

Main Results:

• RAD51 is overexpressed in OSCC and other cancers, with high diagnostic accuracy for OSCC (AUC=0.956).
• High RAD51 expression correlates with aggressive phenotypes, poor prognosis, and suppressed immune infiltration.
• RAD51 knockdown reduced OSCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and enhanced chemosensitivity and ROS accumulation.

Conclusions:

• RAD51 promotes OSCC progression by enhancing malignant phenotypes, DNA repair, and therapy resistance.
• RAD51 suppresses anti-tumor immune responses.
• RAD51 is a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for OSCC.