Integrative single-cell and bulk transcriptomes analyses reveals heterogeneity of serine-glycine-one-carbon metabolism with distinct prognoses and therapeutic vulnerabilities in HNSCC
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Metabolic heterogeneity plays a central role in sustaining uncontrolled cancer cell proliferation and shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME), which significantly compromises the clinical outcomes and responses to therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. This highlights the urgent need to delineate the intrinsic heterogeneity and biological roles of metabolic vulnerabilities to advance precision oncology. The metabolic heterogeneity of malignant cells was identified using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) profiles and validated through bulk transcriptomes. Serine–glycine-one-carbon (SGOC) metabolism was screened out to be responsible for the aggressive malignant properties and poor prognosis in HNSCC patients. A 4-SGOC gene prognostic signature, constructed by LASSO-COX regression analysis, demonstrated good predictive performance for overall survival and therapeutic responses. Patients in the low-risk group exhibited greater infiltration of exhausted CD8+ T cells, and demonstrated better clinical outcomes after receiving immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Conversely, high-risk patients exhibited characteristics of cold tumors, with enhanced IMPDH1-mediated purine biosynthesis, resulting in poor responses to current therapies. IMPDH1 emerged as a potential therapeutic metabolic target. Treatment with IMPDH inhibitors effectively suppressed HNSCC cell proliferation and metastasis and induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo by triggering GTP-exhaustion nucleolar stress. Our findings underscore the metabolic vulnerabilities of HNSCC in facilitating accurate patient stratification and individualized precise metabolic-targeted treatment.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Oral Science covers various aspects of oral science and interdisciplinary fields, encompassing basic, applied, and clinical research. Topics include, but are not limited to:
Oral microbiology
Oral and maxillofacial oncology
Cariology
Oral inflammation and infection
Dental stem cells and regenerative medicine
Craniofacial surgery
Dental material
Oral biomechanics
Oral, dental, and maxillofacial genetic and developmental diseases
Craniofacial bone research
Craniofacial-related biomaterials
Temporomandibular joint disorder and osteoarthritis
The journal publishes peer-reviewed Articles presenting new research results and Review Articles offering concise summaries of specific areas in oral science.