Single cell analysis unveils B cell-dominated immune subtypes in HNSCC for enhanced prognostic and therapeutic stratification
10.1038/s41368-024-00292-1
- Author:
Li KANG
1
;
Zhang CAIHUA
;
Zhou RUOXING
;
Cheng MAOSHENG
;
Ling RONGSONG
;
Xiong GAN
;
Ma JIEYI
;
Zhu YAN
;
Chen SHUANG
;
Chen JIE
;
Chen DEMENG
;
Peng LIANG
Author Information
1. State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China
- From:
International Journal of Oral Science
2024;16(3):448-459
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC)is characterized by high recurrence or distant metastases rate and the prognosis is challenging.There is mounting evidence that tumor-infiltrating B cells(TIL-Bs)have a crucial,synergistic role in tumor control.However,little is known about the role TIL-Bs play in immune microenvironment and the way TIL-Bs affect the outcome of immune checkpoint blockade.Using single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)data from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database,the study identified distinct gene expression patterns in TIL-Bs.HNSCC samples were categorized into TIL-Bs inhibition and TIL-Bs activation groups using unsupervised clustering.This classification was further validated with TCGA HNSCC data,correlating with patient prognosis,immune cell infiltration,and response to immunotherapy.We found that the B cells activation group exhibited a better prognosis,higher immune cell infiltration,and distinct immune checkpoint levels,including elevated PD-L1.A prognostic model was also developed and validated,highlighting four genes as potential biomarkers for predicting survival outcomes in HNSCC patients.Overall,this study provides a foundational approach for B cells-based tumor classification in HNSCC,offering insights into targeted treatment and immunotherapy strategies.
