A novel ubiquitin-related genes-based signature demonstrated values in prognostic prediction, immune landscape sculpture and therapeutic options in laryngeal cancer

BackgroundLaryngeal cancer (LC) is characterized by high mortality and remains challenging in prognostic evaluation and treatment benefits. Ubiquitin-related genes (UbRGs) are widely involved in cancer initiation and progression, but their potential value in LC is unknown.MethodsRNA-seq and clinical...

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Main Authors: Lu Liu, Bing Wang, Xiaoya Ma, Lei Tan, Xudong Wei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1513948/full
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author Lu Liu
Lu Liu
Lu Liu
Lu Liu
Bing Wang
Xiaoya Ma
Xiaoya Ma
Lei Tan
Lei Tan
Lei Tan
Xudong Wei
Xudong Wei
author_facet Lu Liu
Lu Liu
Lu Liu
Lu Liu
Bing Wang
Xiaoya Ma
Xiaoya Ma
Lei Tan
Lei Tan
Lei Tan
Xudong Wei
Xudong Wei
author_sort Lu Liu
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundLaryngeal cancer (LC) is characterized by high mortality and remains challenging in prognostic evaluation and treatment benefits. Ubiquitin-related genes (UbRGs) are widely involved in cancer initiation and progression, but their potential value in LC is unknown.MethodsRNA-seq and clinical data of LC were obtained from TCGA and GEO. UbRGs that independently influenced the overall survival (OS) of LC patients were screened with differential expression, COX and LASSO regression analyses. A prognostic signature was then established and assessed for its predictive value, stability and applicability using Kaplan-Meier analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves. The nomogram was further generated in combination with the signature and clinical characteristics. Characterization of immune properties and prediction of drug sensitivity were investigated on the signature-based subgroups using a panel of in silico platforms. Verification of gene expression was conducted with Western blot, qRT-PCR and ELISA, ultimately.ResultsPPARG, LCK and LHX1 were identified and employed to construct the UbRGs-based prognostic signature, showing a strong ability to discriminate LC patients with distinct OS in TCGA-LC and GSE65858, and excellent applicability in most clinical conditions. The nomogram showed higher predictive value and net clinical benefit than traditional indicators. As evaluated, the low-risk group had a more activated immune function, higher infiltration of anti-cancer immune cells and stronger expression of immune-promoting cytokines than the high-risk group. Immune properties were also correlated with individual signature genes. PPARG and LHX1 were negatively correlated, whereas LCK positively correlated, with the immuno-promoting microenvironment. Additionally, chemotherapy would be more effective in high-risk patients, while immune checkpoint inhibitors would be more effective in low-risk patients. Finally, dysregulation of the signature genes was confirmed in LC cell lines by Western blot, and PPARG knockdown significantly reduced the expression of the immunosuppressive cytokines IL6, TGFB1, TGFB2 and VEGFC by qRT-PCR and ELISA.ConclusionWe have developed a UbRGs-based signature for LC prognostic evaluation that is valuable in clinical application, indicative of the immune microenvironment and beneficial for individualized treatment guidance.
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spelling doaj-art-cab09d1e682b4f00a8bcc12c75cf4fda2025-08-20T03:42:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-03-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15139481513948A novel ubiquitin-related genes-based signature demonstrated values in prognostic prediction, immune landscape sculpture and therapeutic options in laryngeal cancerLu Liu0Lu Liu1Lu Liu2Lu Liu3Bing Wang4Xiaoya Ma5Xiaoya Ma6Lei Tan7Lei Tan8Lei Tan9Xudong Wei10Xudong Wei11The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, ChinaDepartment of E.N.T., Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, ChinaCenter for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, ChinaInnovation Center of Suzhou Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, ChinaPediatric Heart Disease Treatment Center, Jiangxi Provincial Children’s Hospital, Nanchang, ChinaCenter for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Shenzhen Guangming District People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, ChinaInnovation Center of Suzhou Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, ChinaNational Center of Technology Innovation for Biopharmaceuticals, Suzhou, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, ChinaDepartment of E.N.T., Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, ChinaBackgroundLaryngeal cancer (LC) is characterized by high mortality and remains challenging in prognostic evaluation and treatment benefits. Ubiquitin-related genes (UbRGs) are widely involved in cancer initiation and progression, but their potential value in LC is unknown.MethodsRNA-seq and clinical data of LC were obtained from TCGA and GEO. UbRGs that independently influenced the overall survival (OS) of LC patients were screened with differential expression, COX and LASSO regression analyses. A prognostic signature was then established and assessed for its predictive value, stability and applicability using Kaplan-Meier analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves. The nomogram was further generated in combination with the signature and clinical characteristics. Characterization of immune properties and prediction of drug sensitivity were investigated on the signature-based subgroups using a panel of in silico platforms. Verification of gene expression was conducted with Western blot, qRT-PCR and ELISA, ultimately.ResultsPPARG, LCK and LHX1 were identified and employed to construct the UbRGs-based prognostic signature, showing a strong ability to discriminate LC patients with distinct OS in TCGA-LC and GSE65858, and excellent applicability in most clinical conditions. The nomogram showed higher predictive value and net clinical benefit than traditional indicators. As evaluated, the low-risk group had a more activated immune function, higher infiltration of anti-cancer immune cells and stronger expression of immune-promoting cytokines than the high-risk group. Immune properties were also correlated with individual signature genes. PPARG and LHX1 were negatively correlated, whereas LCK positively correlated, with the immuno-promoting microenvironment. Additionally, chemotherapy would be more effective in high-risk patients, while immune checkpoint inhibitors would be more effective in low-risk patients. Finally, dysregulation of the signature genes was confirmed in LC cell lines by Western blot, and PPARG knockdown significantly reduced the expression of the immunosuppressive cytokines IL6, TGFB1, TGFB2 and VEGFC by qRT-PCR and ELISA.ConclusionWe have developed a UbRGs-based signature for LC prognostic evaluation that is valuable in clinical application, indicative of the immune microenvironment and beneficial for individualized treatment guidance.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1513948/fulllaryngeal cancerubiquitin-related genes-based signatureprognosis predictionimmune landscape sculpturetherapeutic options
spellingShingle Lu Liu
Lu Liu
Lu Liu
Lu Liu
Bing Wang
Xiaoya Ma
Xiaoya Ma
Lei Tan
Lei Tan
Lei Tan
Xudong Wei
Xudong Wei
A novel ubiquitin-related genes-based signature demonstrated values in prognostic prediction, immune landscape sculpture and therapeutic options in laryngeal cancer
Frontiers in Pharmacology
laryngeal cancer
ubiquitin-related genes-based signature
prognosis prediction
immune landscape sculpture
therapeutic options
title A novel ubiquitin-related genes-based signature demonstrated values in prognostic prediction, immune landscape sculpture and therapeutic options in laryngeal cancer
title_full A novel ubiquitin-related genes-based signature demonstrated values in prognostic prediction, immune landscape sculpture and therapeutic options in laryngeal cancer
title_fullStr A novel ubiquitin-related genes-based signature demonstrated values in prognostic prediction, immune landscape sculpture and therapeutic options in laryngeal cancer
title_full_unstemmed A novel ubiquitin-related genes-based signature demonstrated values in prognostic prediction, immune landscape sculpture and therapeutic options in laryngeal cancer
title_short A novel ubiquitin-related genes-based signature demonstrated values in prognostic prediction, immune landscape sculpture and therapeutic options in laryngeal cancer
title_sort novel ubiquitin related genes based signature demonstrated values in prognostic prediction immune landscape sculpture and therapeutic options in laryngeal cancer
topic laryngeal cancer
ubiquitin-related genes-based signature
prognosis prediction
immune landscape sculpture
therapeutic options
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1513948/full
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