Prognostic value of FLOT1-related gene signature in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: insights into radioresistance mechanisms and clinical outcomes

Abstract We aimed to develop and validate the ability of a FLOT1-related gene signature to predict survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients and to explore FLOT1’s role in modulating the responses to radiation therapy (RT). Using TCGA dataset, we identified a gene expression...

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Main Authors: Min Kyeong Lee, Seon Rang Woo, Joo Kyung Noh, MinJi Bae, YeonSeo Lee, Soonki Min, Moonkyoo Kong, Young Chan Lee, Seong‐Gyu Ko, Young-Gyu Eun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-05-01
Series:Cell Death Discovery
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-025-02500-1
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author Min Kyeong Lee
Seon Rang Woo
Joo Kyung Noh
MinJi Bae
YeonSeo Lee
Soonki Min
Moonkyoo Kong
Young Chan Lee
Seong‐Gyu Ko
Young-Gyu Eun
author_facet Min Kyeong Lee
Seon Rang Woo
Joo Kyung Noh
MinJi Bae
YeonSeo Lee
Soonki Min
Moonkyoo Kong
Young Chan Lee
Seong‐Gyu Ko
Young-Gyu Eun
author_sort Min Kyeong Lee
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We aimed to develop and validate the ability of a FLOT1-related gene signature to predict survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients and to explore FLOT1’s role in modulating the responses to radiation therapy (RT). Using TCGA dataset, we identified a gene expression signature reflective of FLOT1 and applied LASSO regression to build a prediction model. Patients were stratified into high- and low-risk subgroups based on this signature. The prognostic value was confirmed across three independent cohorts, showing that high-risk patients had significantly poorer overall survival. Cox proportional hazards models were used to establish this gene signature as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in HNSCC patients. Additionally, this signature predicted survival outcomes in patients undergoing RT. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that inhibiting FLOT1 expression increased the radiation sensitivity of HNSCC cells by modulating the phospho-PTEN/IGF1R axis. Moreover, silencing FLOT1 decreased radioresistance in radioresistant cell lines and xenograft mouse models. In conclusion, the FLOT1-related gene signature is a strong prognostic marker for HNSCC and may help identify patients who may benefit from RT.
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spelling doaj-art-fdae6d20a27845e7a6a9beb0227970c12025-08-20T03:09:34ZengNature Publishing GroupCell Death Discovery2058-77162025-05-0111111510.1038/s41420-025-02500-1Prognostic value of FLOT1-related gene signature in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: insights into radioresistance mechanisms and clinical outcomesMin Kyeong Lee0Seon Rang Woo1Joo Kyung Noh2MinJi Bae3YeonSeo Lee4Soonki Min5Moonkyoo Kong6Young Chan Lee7Seong‐Gyu Ko8Young-Gyu Eun9Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Graduate School, Kyung Hee UniversityDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University Medical CenterDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University Medical CenterDepartment of Biomedical Science and Technology, Graduate School, Kyung Hee UniversityDepartment of Biomedical Science and Technology, Graduate School, Kyung Hee UniversityDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine Kyung Hee University Medical CenterDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine Kyung Hee University Medical CenterDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University Medical CenterDepartment of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee UniversityDepartment of Biomedical Science and Technology, Graduate School, Kyung Hee UniversityAbstract We aimed to develop and validate the ability of a FLOT1-related gene signature to predict survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients and to explore FLOT1’s role in modulating the responses to radiation therapy (RT). Using TCGA dataset, we identified a gene expression signature reflective of FLOT1 and applied LASSO regression to build a prediction model. Patients were stratified into high- and low-risk subgroups based on this signature. The prognostic value was confirmed across three independent cohorts, showing that high-risk patients had significantly poorer overall survival. Cox proportional hazards models were used to establish this gene signature as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in HNSCC patients. Additionally, this signature predicted survival outcomes in patients undergoing RT. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that inhibiting FLOT1 expression increased the radiation sensitivity of HNSCC cells by modulating the phospho-PTEN/IGF1R axis. Moreover, silencing FLOT1 decreased radioresistance in radioresistant cell lines and xenograft mouse models. In conclusion, the FLOT1-related gene signature is a strong prognostic marker for HNSCC and may help identify patients who may benefit from RT.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-025-02500-1
spellingShingle Min Kyeong Lee
Seon Rang Woo
Joo Kyung Noh
MinJi Bae
YeonSeo Lee
Soonki Min
Moonkyoo Kong
Young Chan Lee
Seong‐Gyu Ko
Young-Gyu Eun
Prognostic value of FLOT1-related gene signature in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: insights into radioresistance mechanisms and clinical outcomes
Cell Death Discovery
title Prognostic value of FLOT1-related gene signature in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: insights into radioresistance mechanisms and clinical outcomes
title_full Prognostic value of FLOT1-related gene signature in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: insights into radioresistance mechanisms and clinical outcomes
title_fullStr Prognostic value of FLOT1-related gene signature in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: insights into radioresistance mechanisms and clinical outcomes
title_full_unstemmed Prognostic value of FLOT1-related gene signature in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: insights into radioresistance mechanisms and clinical outcomes
title_short Prognostic value of FLOT1-related gene signature in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: insights into radioresistance mechanisms and clinical outcomes
title_sort prognostic value of flot1 related gene signature in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma insights into radioresistance mechanisms and clinical outcomes
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-025-02500-1
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