Abstract 436P
Background
Recent studies have highlighted the crucial role of methyltransferase-like protein 11A (METTL11A) in cancer biology. However, its role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains insufficiently explored.
Methods
This study aimed to investigate the expression and functional implications of METTL11A in HNSCC. We analyzed METTL11A mRNA and protein levels in tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues from 76 HNSCC patients using RT-qPCR and western blot techniques. Additionally, we examined the association between METTL11A expression and clinical characteristics, patient prognosis, immune cell infiltration, and relevant biological pathways using data from the TCGA-HNSCC dataset.
Results
Our research found that METTL11A is significantly overexpressed in HNSCC tissues compared to normal tissues. The increased expression of METTL11A is strongly associated with nodal metastasis and poorer patient prognoses, indicating its role in cancer progression. Functional analyses showed that METTL11A is involved in critical biological pathways, emphasizing its relevance in cancer biology. Additionally, METTL11A has complex interactions with immune regulatory genes, suggesting its potential influence on the tumor immune microenvironment.
Conclusions
The overexpression of METTL11A in malignant tissues is linked to adverse clinical features and a poor prognosis in HNSCC. This identifies METTL11A as a promising prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target for HNSCC. Its involvement in immune regulation further emphasizes its significant role in this type of cancer. This study deepens our understanding of the complex factors contributing to HNSCC and paves the way for future research and clinical interventions.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
ICMR.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.