BACKGROUND: Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC), the most common subtype of cervical cancer, is primarily caused by the high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and genetic susceptibility. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has been widely used in CESC research to uncover the diversity of cell types and states within tumor tissues, enabling a detailed study of the tumor microenvironment (TME). This technology allows precise mapping of HPV infection in cervical tissues, providing valuable insights into the initiation and progression of HPV-mediated malignant transformation. METHODS: We performed the scRNA-seq to characterize gene expression in tumor tissues and paired adjacent para-cancerous tissues from four patients with early-stage CESC using the 10× Genomics platform. The HPV infection and its subtypes were identified using the scRNA data and viral sequence mapping, and trajectory analyses were performed using HPV+ or HPV- cells. Interactions between different types of keratinized cells and their interactions with other cell types were identified, and pathways and specificity markers were screened for proliferating keratinized cells. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset was used to verify the prognostic correlation between tumor-specific PI3+S100A7+ keratinocyte infiltration and CESC, and the localization relationship between PI3+S100A7+ keratinocytes and macrophages was verified by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Various types of keratinocytes and fibroblasts were the two cell types with the most significant differences in percentage between the tumor tissue samples and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissue samples in the early stages of CESC. We found that PI3+S100A7+ keratinocytes were associated with early HPV-positive CESC, and PI3+S100A7+ keratinocytes were more abundant in tumors than in adjacent normal tissues in the TCGA-CESC dataset. Analysis of clinical information revealed that the infiltration of PI3+S100A7+ keratinocytes was notably higher in tumors with poor prognosis than in those with good prognosis. Additionally, multiplex immunofluorescence analysis showed a specific increase in PI3+S100A7+ expression within tumor tissues, with PI3+S100A7+ keratinocytes and CD163+ macrophages being spatially very close to each other. In the analysis of cell-cell interactions, macrophages exhibited strong crosstalk with PI3+S100A7+ proliferating keratinocytes in HPV-positive CESC tumors, mediated by tumor necrosis factor (TNF), CCL2, CXCL8, and IL10, highlighting the dynamic and tumor-specific enhancement of macrophage-keratinocyte interactions, which are associated with poor prognosis and immune modulation. Using CIBERSORTx, we discovered that patients with high infiltration of both PI3+S100A7+ proliferating keratinocytes and macrophages had the shortest overall survival. In the analysis of cell-cell interactions, PI3+S100A7+ proliferating keratinocytes and macrophages were found to be involved in highly active pathways that promote differentiation and structure formation, including cytokine receptor interactions, the Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway regulation. Further subtyping of fibroblast populations identified four subtypes. The C1 group, characterized by its predominance in tumor tissues, is a subtype enriched with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), whereas the C3 group is primarily enriched in adjacent non-cancerous tissues and consists of undifferentiated cells. Moreover, the distinct molecular and cellular differences between HPV16- and HPV66-associated tumors were demonstrated, emphasizing the unique tumor-promoting mechanisms and microenvironmental influences driven by each HPV subtype. CONCLUSIONS We discovered a heterogeneous population of keratinocytes between tumor and adjacent non-cancerous tissues caused by HPV infection and identified macrophages and specific CAFs that play a crucial role during the early stage in promoting the inflammatory response and remodeling the cancer-promoting TME. Our findings provide new insights into the transcriptional landscape of early-stage CESC to understand the mechanism of HPV-mediated malignant transformation in cervical cancer.
Humans ; Female ; Papillomavirus Infections/genetics* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; Keratinocytes/metabolism* ; Single-Cell Analysis/methods* ; Tumor Microenvironment/genetics*

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a prevalent malignancy of the digestive tract that poses a significant threat to human health, with an incidence rate that continues to rise globally. Increasing research highlights the crucial role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), in regulating ferroptosis and contributing to the malignant progression of ESCC. These ncRNAs influence the proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion capabilities of ESCC cells by modulating iron metabolism and redox balance. miRNAs can regulate cellular iron accumulation and oxidative stress by targeting ferroptosis-related genes; lncRNAs may indirectly affect iron metabolic pathways by competitively binding to miRNAs; circRNAs, through a sponge effect, may regulate the activity of miRNAs. This review systematically summarizes the mechanisms of ncRNAs-mediated regulation of ferroptosis in ESCC, focusing on molecular mechanisms, regulatory networks, and their specific roles in the ferroptosis process. Additionally, the potential of ncRNAs in ESCC diagnosis, prognosis assessment, and therapeutic intervention is discussed, aiming to provide new insights and targets for ferroptosis-based tumor therapy.
Ferroptosis/genetics* ; Humans ; Esophageal Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ; MicroRNAs/physiology* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/physiology* ; RNA, Circular ; RNA, Untranslated/physiology*

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent type of cancer with a high mortality rate in its late stages. One of the major challenges in OSCC treatment is the resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. Therefore, it is imperative to elucidate the mechanism underlying drug resistance and develop appropriate precision therapy strategies to enhance clinical efficacy. METHODS: To evaluate the efficacy of the combination of the Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CAMK2) inhibitor KN93 and EGFR inhibitors, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments using two FAT atypical cadherin 1 ( FAT1 )-deficient (SCC9 and SCC25) and two FAT1 wild-type (SCC47 and HN12) OSCC cell lines. We assessed the effects of EGFR inhibitors (afatinib or cetuximab), KN93, or their combination on the malignant phenotype of OSCC in vivo and in vitro . The alterations in protein expression levels of members of the EGFR signaling pathway and SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2) were analyzed. Changes in the yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) protein were characterized. Moreover, we analyzed mitochondrial dysfunction. Besides, the effects of combination therapy on mitochondrial dynamics were also evaluated. RESULTS: OSCC with FAT1 mutations exhibited resistance to EGFR inhibitors treatment. The combination of KN93 and EGFR inhibitors significantly inhibited the proliferation, survival, and migration of FAT1 -mutated OSCC cells and suppressed tumor growth in vivo . Mechanistically, combination therapy enhanced the therapeutic sensitivity of FAT1 -mutated OSCC cells to EGFR inhibitors by modulating the EGFR pathway and downregulated tumor stemness-related proteins. Furthermore, combination therapy induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and disrupted mitochondrial dynamics, ultimately resulting in tumor suppression. CONCLUSION Combination therapy with EGFR inhibitors and KN93 could be a novel precision therapeutic strategy and a potential clinical solution for EGFR-resistant OSCC patients with FAT1 mutations.
Humans ; ErbB Receptors/metabolism* ; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Animals ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics* ; Cadherins/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mutation/genetics* ; Mice, Nude ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Cetuximab/pharmacology* ; Afatinib/therapeutic use* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) poses a significant global health challenge, necessitating early detection, timely diagnosis, and prompt treatment to improve patient outcomes. Endoscopic examination plays a pivotal role in this regard. However, despite the availability of various endoscopic techniques, certain limitations can result in missed or misdiagnosed ESCCs. Currently, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted endoscopic diagnosis has made significant strides in addressing these limitations and improving the diagnosis of ESCC and precancerous lesions. In this review, we provide an overview of the current state of AI applications for endoscopic diagnosis of ESCC and precancerous lesions in aspects including lesion characterization, margin delineation, invasion depth estimation, and microvascular subtype classification. Furthermore, we offer insights into the future direction of this field, highlighting potential advancements that can lead to more accurate diagnoses and ultimately better prognoses for patients.
Humans ; Artificial Intelligence ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/diagnosis* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Precancerous Conditions/diagnosis*

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of parotid cholesteatoma and concurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone in a 51-year-old woman.

Design: Case Report

Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital

Patient: One

A 51-year-old woman with a left parotid mass and ipsilateral external auditory canal mass and chronic bilateral otorrhea had parotid biopsy histological features of cholesteatoma and temporal bone imaging suggestive of middle ear cholesteatoma and possible parotid region abscess. She underwent subtotal petrosectomy, mastoid obliteration and excision of the parotid mass. Histopathological examination of the parotid mass was consistent with cholesteatoma but tissue from the middle ear cavity showed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.

While cholesteatomas typically arise within the temporal bone, they may occasionally present in atypical or distant sites. In cases where a cholesteatoma demonstrates an unusual location, aggressive behavior, or atypical clinical progression, a high index of suspicion should be maintained for the possibility of an underlying or coexisting temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma.

The presence of a positive deep surgical margin in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) significantly elevates the risk of local recurrence. Therefore, a prompt and precise intraoperative assessment of margin status is imperative to ensure thorough tumor resection. In this study, we integrate Raman imaging technology with an artificial intelligence (AI) generative model, proposing an innovative approach for intraoperative margin status diagnosis. This method utilizes Raman imaging to swiftly and non-invasively capture tissue Raman images, which are then transformed into hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)-stained histopathological images using an AI generative model for histopathological diagnosis. The generated H&E-stained images clearly illustrate the tissue's pathological conditions. Independently reviewed by three pathologists, the overall diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing between tumor tissue and normal muscle tissue reaches 86.7%. Notably, it outperforms current clinical practices, especially in TSCC with positive lymph node metastasis or moderately differentiated grades. This advancement highlights the potential of AI-enhanced Raman imaging to significantly improve intraoperative assessments and surgical margin evaluations, promising a versatile diagnostic tool beyond TSCC.
Humans ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methods* ; Tongue Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnostic imaging* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Margins of Excision

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are widely acknowledged as primary mediators to the initiation and progression of tumors. The association between microbial infection and cancer stemness has garnered considerable scholarly interest in recent years. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is increasingly considered to be closely related to the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Nevertheless, the role of P. gingivalis in the stemness of OSCC cells remains uncertain. Herein, we showed that P. gingivalis was positively correlated with CSC markers expression in human OSCC specimens, promoted the stemness and tumorigenicity of OSCC cells, and enhanced tumor formation in nude mice. Mechanistically, P. gingivalis increased lipid synthesis in OSCC cells by upregulating the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) expression, a key enzyme involved in lipid metabolism, which ultimately resulted in enhanced acquisition of stemness. Moreover, SCD1 suppression attenuated P. gingivalis-induced stemness of OSCC cells, including CSCs markers expression, sphere formation ability, chemoresistance, and tumor growth, in OSCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, upregulation of SCD1 in P. gingivalis-infected OSCC cells was associated with the expression of KLF5, and that was modulated by P. gingivalis-activated NOD1 signaling. Taken together, these findings highlight the importance of SCD1-dependent lipid synthesis in P. gingivalis-induced stemness acquisition in OSCC cells, suggest that the NOD1/KLF5 axis may play a key role in regulating SCD1 expression and provide a molecular basis for targeting SCD1 as a new option for attenuating OSCC cells stemness.
Porphyromonas gingivalis/pathogenicity* ; Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase/metabolism* ; Humans ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Animals ; Neoplastic Stem Cells/microbiology* ; Mice, Nude ; Mice ; Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein/metabolism* ; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progresses from preneoplastic precursors via genetic and epigenetic alterations. Previous studies have focused on the treatment of terminally developed OSCC. However, the role of epigenetic regulators as therapeutic targets during the transition from preneoplastic precursors to OSCC has not been well studied. Our study identified lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) as a crucial promoter of OSCC, demonstrating that its knockout or pharmacological inhibition in mice reversed OSCC preneoplasia. LSD1 inhibition by SP2509 disrupted cell cycle, reduced immunosuppression, and enhanced CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell infiltration. In a feline model of spontaneous OSCC, a clinical LSD1 inhibitor (Seclidemstat or SP2577) was found to be safe and effectively inhibit the STAT3 network. Mechanistic studies revealed that LSD1 drives OSCC progression through STAT3 signaling, which is regulated by phosphorylation of the cell cycle mediator CDK7 and immunosuppressive CTLA4. Notably, LSD1 inhibition reduced the phosphorylation of CDK7 at Tyr170 and eIF4B at Ser422, offering insights into a novel mechanism by which LSD1 regulates the preneoplastic-to-OSCC transition. This study provides a deeper understanding of OSCC progression and highlights LSD1 as a potential therapeutic target for controlling OSCC progression from preneoplastic lesions.
STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Animals ; Histone Demethylases/genetics* ; Phosphorylation ; Mouth Neoplasms/immunology* ; Mice ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/immunology* ; Disease Progression ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Activating Kinase ; Precancerous Conditions/metabolism* ; Humans ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal

Microwave thermochemotherapy (MTC) has been applied to treat lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), but a deeper understanding of its therapeutic mechanisms and molecular biology is needed. To address this, we used single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) to highlight the pivotal role of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) among tumor-infiltrating immune cells and their therapeutic response to MTC. MNDA⁺ TANs with anti-tumor activity (N1-phenotype) are found to be abundantly infiltrated by MTC with benefit of increased blood perfusion, and these TANs are characterized by enhanced cytotoxicity, ameliorated hypoxia, and upregulated IL1B, activating T&NK cells and fibroblasts via IL1B-IL1R. In this highly anti-tumor immunogenic and hypoxia-reversed microenvironment under MTC, fibroblasts accumulated in the tumor front (TF) can recruit N1-TANs via CXCL2-CXCR2 and clear N2-TANs (pro-tumor phenotype) via CXCL12-CXCR4, which results in the aggregation of N1-TANs and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. In addition, we construct an N1-TANs marker, MX2, which positively correlates with better prognosis in LSCC patients, and employ deep learning techniques to predict expression of MX2 from hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)-stained images so as to conveniently guide decision making in clinical practice. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the N1-TANs/fibroblasts defense wall formed in response to MTC effectively combat LSCC.
Humans ; Neutrophils/metabolism* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Lip Neoplasms/genetics* ; Hyperthermia, Induced/methods* ; Microwaves/therapeutic use* ; Transcriptome ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/immunology* ; Tumor Microenvironment

The p60 subunit of the chromatin assembly factor-1 complex, that is, chromatin assembly factor-1 subunit B (CHAF1B), is a histone H3/H4 chaperone crucial for the transcriptional regulation of cell differentiation and self-renewal. CHAF1B is overexpressed in several cancers and may represent a potential target for cancer therapy. However, its expression and clinical significance in lung squamous-cell carcinoma (LUSC) remain unclear. In this study, we performed weighted gene correlation network analysis to analyze the Gene Expression Omnibus GSE68793 LUSC dataset and identified CHAF1B as one of the most important driver gene candidates. Immunohistochemical analysis of 126 LUSC tumor samples and 80 adjacent normal lung tissues showed the marked upregulation of CHAF1B in tumor tissues and the negative association of its expression level with patient survival outcomes. Silencing of CHAF1B suppressed LUSC proliferation in vitro and LUSC tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, bulk RNA sequencing of CHAF1B knockdown cells indicated SET domain containing 7 (SETD7) as a significant CHAF1B target gene. In addition, CHAF1B competitively binds to the SETD7 promoter region and represses its transcription. Altogether, these results imply that CHAF1B plays a vital role in LUSC tumorigenesis and may represent a potential molecular target for this deadly disease.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Disease Progression ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromatin Assembly Factor-1/metabolism* ; Animals ; Mice ; Male ; Female