Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: NT5E Could Be a Prognostic Biomarker

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a type of tumour with a relatively poor prognosis. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as CTLA-4 and PD-1/PDL-1 inhibitors, have improved the treatment status of advanced tumours. However, the emergence of drug resistance has brought difficulties to clinical treatment, and new immune checkpoint research is imminent. The hypoxia-adenosine pathway, in which CD73 encoded by the NT5E gene is a key enzyme for adenosine production, has been identified as an immune checkpoint of great potential. Therefore, NT5E may play an important role in HNSCC. We performed a detailed bioinformatics analysis of NT5E in HNSCC, and the results showed that the overexpression of NT5E in HNSCC was associated with poor prognosis. Our further investigation of the coexpression pattern of HNSCC could provide a reference for drug resistance and immunotherapy studies.

Automated summary

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a type of tumour with a poor prognosis. Recent advancements in immune checkpoint inhibitors have improved the treatment of advanced tumours. However, the emergence of drug resistance has posed challenges in clinical treatment, necessitating further research in immune checkpoint pathways. Our study focused on the NT5E gene, which is associated with the hypoxia-adenosine pathway, and found that overexpression of NT5E in HNSCC is linked to a poor prognosis. The coexpression pattern of HNSCC provides insights for drug resistance and immunotherapy studies.