Machine learning-driven identification of exosome- related biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
BackgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common cancer associated with elevated mortality rates. Exosomes, diminutive extracellular vesicles, significantly contribute to tumour development, immunological evasion, and treatment resistance. Identifying exosome-associated biomarkers...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Immunology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1590331/full |
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| author | Yaodong He Yun Li Jiaqi Tang Yan Wang Zhenyan Zhao Rong Liu Zihui Yang Huan Li Jianhua Wei |
| author_facet | Yaodong He Yun Li Jiaqi Tang Yan Wang Zhenyan Zhao Rong Liu Zihui Yang Huan Li Jianhua Wei |
| author_sort | Yaodong He |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common cancer associated with elevated mortality rates. Exosomes, diminutive extracellular vesicles, significantly contribute to tumour development, immunological evasion, and treatment resistance. Identifying exosome-associated biomarkers in HNSCC may improve early diagnosis, treatment targeting, and patient classification.MethodsWe acquired four publically accessible HNSCC gene expression datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and mitigated batch effects utilising the ComBat technique. Differential expression analysis and exosome-related gene screening found a collection of markedly exosome-associated differentially expressed genes (ERDEGs). Subsequently, 10 key exosome-related genes were further screened by combining three machine learning methods, LASSO regression, SVM-RFE and RF, and a clinical prediction model was constructed. Furthermore, we thoroughly investigated the biological roles of these genes in HNSCC and their prospective treatment implications via functional enrichment analysis, immune microenvironment assessment, and molecular docking confirmation.ResultsThe study indicated that 10 pivotal exosome-related genes identified by the machine learning method had considerable differential expression in HNSCC. Clinical prediction models developed from these genes have shown high accuracy in prognostic evaluations of HNSCC patients. Analysis of the immunological microenvironment indicated varying immune cell infiltration in HNSCC, and the association with ERDEGs proposed a potential mechanism for immune evasion. Molecular docking validation indicated novel small molecule medicines targeting these genes, establishing a theoretical foundation for pharmacological therapy in HNSCC.ConclusionThis research identifies new exosome-related indicators for HNSCC through machine learning methodologies. The suggested biomarkers, particularly ANGPTL1, exhibit significant promise for diagnostic and prognostic uses. The investigation of the immunological microenvironment yields insights into immune modulation in HNSCC, presenting novel avenues for therapeutic targeting. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-adae4e3b9ef044d1bd12e9a49a5ce738 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-3224 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Immunology |
| spelling | doaj-art-adae4e3b9ef044d1bd12e9a49a5ce7382025-08-20T03:47:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-05-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15903311590331Machine learning-driven identification of exosome- related biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinomaYaodong HeYun LiJiaqi TangYan WangZhenyan ZhaoRong LiuZihui YangHuan LiJianhua WeiBackgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common cancer associated with elevated mortality rates. Exosomes, diminutive extracellular vesicles, significantly contribute to tumour development, immunological evasion, and treatment resistance. Identifying exosome-associated biomarkers in HNSCC may improve early diagnosis, treatment targeting, and patient classification.MethodsWe acquired four publically accessible HNSCC gene expression datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and mitigated batch effects utilising the ComBat technique. Differential expression analysis and exosome-related gene screening found a collection of markedly exosome-associated differentially expressed genes (ERDEGs). Subsequently, 10 key exosome-related genes were further screened by combining three machine learning methods, LASSO regression, SVM-RFE and RF, and a clinical prediction model was constructed. Furthermore, we thoroughly investigated the biological roles of these genes in HNSCC and their prospective treatment implications via functional enrichment analysis, immune microenvironment assessment, and molecular docking confirmation.ResultsThe study indicated that 10 pivotal exosome-related genes identified by the machine learning method had considerable differential expression in HNSCC. Clinical prediction models developed from these genes have shown high accuracy in prognostic evaluations of HNSCC patients. Analysis of the immunological microenvironment indicated varying immune cell infiltration in HNSCC, and the association with ERDEGs proposed a potential mechanism for immune evasion. Molecular docking validation indicated novel small molecule medicines targeting these genes, establishing a theoretical foundation for pharmacological therapy in HNSCC.ConclusionThis research identifies new exosome-related indicators for HNSCC through machine learning methodologies. The suggested biomarkers, particularly ANGPTL1, exhibit significant promise for diagnostic and prognostic uses. The investigation of the immunological microenvironment yields insights into immune modulation in HNSCC, presenting novel avenues for therapeutic targeting.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1590331/fullhead and neck squamous cell carcinomaexosome biomarkersmachine learningimmune microenvironmenttherapeutic target discovery |
| spellingShingle | Yaodong He Yun Li Jiaqi Tang Yan Wang Zhenyan Zhao Rong Liu Zihui Yang Huan Li Jianhua Wei Machine learning-driven identification of exosome- related biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Frontiers in Immunology head and neck squamous cell carcinoma exosome biomarkers machine learning immune microenvironment therapeutic target discovery |
| title | Machine learning-driven identification of exosome- related biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma |
| title_full | Machine learning-driven identification of exosome- related biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma |
| title_fullStr | Machine learning-driven identification of exosome- related biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma |
| title_full_unstemmed | Machine learning-driven identification of exosome- related biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma |
| title_short | Machine learning-driven identification of exosome- related biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma |
| title_sort | machine learning driven identification of exosome related biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma |
| topic | head and neck squamous cell carcinoma exosome biomarkers machine learning immune microenvironment therapeutic target discovery |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1590331/full |
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