Analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics data in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Studies have shown that cancer progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is related with metabolic alterations. The aim of this study is to identify the clinical roles of metabolic alterations in HNSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Metabolism-related genes associated with HNSCC were searched in public databases. A predictive and efficacious LASSO model was fabricated to optimize the diagnosis that was based on these genes. Meantime, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was used to compare patients with HNSCC (n = 73) with healthy controls (n = 51) for serum metabolites. Potential biomarkers and alterations in serum metabolites were analysed and evaluated using t test analysis, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least square-discrimination analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 21 differential metabolites were probed in serum, of which eight metabolites had potential for clinical uses. Transcriptome analysis showed that four genes in the constructed LASSO model were found to be associated with seven differential metabolites. Metabolic pathway analysis by MetaboAnalyst showed that the biomarkers that were related with HNSCC were closely related to four metabolism pathways (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: To conclude, future research on HNSCC should be directed towards multi-omics to provide treatment, intervention or diagnosis of the disease.