Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is the most prevalent cancer in the head and neck region, originating from the mucosal epithelium of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. The solute carrier (SLC) transporter superfamily, consisting of over 400 proteins across 65 families, plays a crucial role in cellular functions and presents promising targets in precision oncology. This study aims to analyze the expression of SLC transporters in HNSC and their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.Methods: We leveraged mRNA and protein expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) to examine SLC transporter expression in HNSC. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was conducted to assess the involvement of SLC transporters in various oncogenic pathways.Results: Significant upregulation of SLC transporters was observed in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues, with notable increases in SLC16A3, SLC53A1, SLC25A32, and SLC2A3. This upregulation correlated with poorer overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). GSEA revealed that these transporters are significantly involved in critical oncogenic pathways, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and hypoxia, which are vital for cancer progression and metastasis.Conclusions: The study identifies SLC transporters as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in HNSC. Targeting these transporters with small molecule inhibitors could disrupt essential supply routes for cancer cells, enhancing treatment efficacy and improving patient outcomes. This study paves the way for developing SLC-based target therapies in precision oncology, with the goal of improving survival rates for patients with HNSC.
背景：头颈部鳞状细胞癌（HNSC）是头颈部最常见的恶性肿瘤，起源于口腔、咽部和喉部的黏膜上皮。溶质载体（SLC）转运蛋白超家族包含65个家族超过400种蛋白质，在细胞功能中发挥关键作用，是精准肿瘤学中极具潜力的靶点。本研究旨在分析SLC转运蛋白在HNSC中的表达及其作为生物标志物和治疗靶点的潜力。 方法：我们利用癌症基因组图谱（TCGA）和人类蛋白质图谱（HPA）的mRNA及蛋白质表达数据，系统分析了HNSC中SLC转运蛋白的表达特征。通过基因集富集分析（GSEA）评估SLC转运蛋白在致癌通路中的参与程度。 结果：与正常组织相比，肿瘤组织中SLC转运蛋白显著上调，其中SLC16A3、SLC53A1、SLC25A32和SLC2A3表达升高尤为明显。这种上调与较差的总生存期（OS）和疾病特异性生存期（DSS）显著相关。GSEA分析显示，这些转运蛋白广泛参与上皮-间质转化（EMT）、血管生成和缺氧等关键致癌通路，这些通路对肿瘤进展和转移至关重要。 结论：本研究证实SLC转运蛋白可作为HNSC的潜在生物标志物和治疗靶点。通过小分子抑制剂靶向这些转运蛋白，可阻断癌细胞的关键物质供应途径，从而提高治疗效果并改善患者预后。该研究为开发基于SLC的精准靶向治疗奠定了基础，有望提升HNSC患者的生存率。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家