Multi-omics characterization of a scoring system to quantify hypoxia patterns in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background The 5-year survival rate of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains Methods A scoring system named the hypoxia score (HS) was constructed based on hypoxia-related genes (HRGs) expression. The predictive value of HS response for patient outcomes and different treatments was evaluated. Single-cell datasets and cell communication were utilized to rule out cell populations which hypoxia targeted on. Results The survival outcomes, immune/Estimate scores, responses to targeted inhibitors, and chemotherapeutic, and immunotherapy responses were distinct between a high HS group and a low HS group (all P P HLA-DPA1/CD4 axis was identified as a unique interaction between CD4 + T Conv and pDC cells. Conclusions Altogether, the quantification for hypoxia patterns is a potential biomarker for prognosis, individualized chemotherapeutic and immunotherapy strategies. The portrait of cell communication characteristics over the HNSCC ecosystem enhances the understanding of hypoxia patterns in HNSCC.