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Updated: Aug 29, 2026
Discovery of Driver Genes in Colorectal HT29-derived Cancer Stem-Like Tumorspheres
Published on: July 22, 2020
Integrative transcriptomic analysis identifies shared coding and non-coding biomarkers in tongue squamous cell
Ronit Roy1,2, Monika Rajput1, Manoj Pandey3,4
1DHR-ICMR Advanced Molecular Oncology Diagnostic Services (DIAMOnDS), Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.
Background:
Tongue cancer, a prevalent subtype of oral malignancy, remains a significant global health burden with high morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. Understanding its molecular landscape is crucial for developing targeted diagnostics and therapeutics.
Objective:
This systematic review aimed to identify common differentially expressed protein-coding genes (DEGs) in tongue cancer across multiple populations and explore their functional significance through integrative bioinformatic analyses.
Methods:
We performed an integrative meta-analysis of transcriptomic datasets from China, the USA, and Australia to identify common differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment, protein-protein interaction (PPI), and regulatory network analyses were conducted. Crucially, the clinical relevance of identified hub genes was validated using the TCGA-HNSC cohort to assess correlations with tumor stage and overall survival.
Results:
A total of 133 common DEGs were identified, primarily enriched in extracellular matrix (ECM) disassembly, collagen catabolism, and IL-17 signaling. Key hub genes included MMP3, MMP10, COL1A1, CDKN2A, and CXCL11. Network analysis uncovered novel lncRNAs, including TENM3-AS1 and DUXAP10, regulating immune and epithelial pathways. Clinical validation demonstrated that high expression of STC2 and MMP3 significantly correlated with advanced tumor stage (p < 0.05). Furthermore, STC2 upregulation was identified as a significant predictor of poor overall survival (p = 0.0037).
Conclusion:
This study defines a cross-population gene signature driving TSCC through ECM remodeling and immune modulation. The validation of STC2 as a prognostic marker highlights its potential for clinical risk stratification.
