# Prognostic value and therapeutic potential of IAP family in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

## TL;DR

This study explores how the IAP family of proteins affects the prognosis and treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

## Contribution

The study identifies BIRC2 as a potential immunotherapy target in HNSCC and explores the IAP family's role in prognosis and immune cell infiltration.

## Key findings

- High BIRC2 expression is associated with worse prognosis in HNSCC.
- IAP family gene expression is linked to immune cell infiltration in HNSCC.
- Bioinformatics analysis reveals functional enrichment related to IAP family members in HNSCC.

## Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks as the eighth most prevalent malignancy globally and has the eighth greatest fatality rate when compared to all other forms of cancer. The inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family comprises a collection of apoptosis-negative modulators characterized by at least one single baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) domain in its N-terminal region. While the involvement of the IAP family is associated with the initiation and progression of numerous tumours, its specific role in HNSCC remains poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed to comprehensively examine changes in gene expression, immunomodulatory effects, prognosis, and functional enrichment of HNSCC utilising bioinformatics analysis. Elevated levels of distinct IAP family members were observed to varying degrees in HNSCC, with high BIRC2 expression indicating a worse prognosis. Additionally, Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to probe the enrichment of gene expression and biological processes related to the IAP family in HNSCC. The infiltration levels of immune cells were shown to be strongly associated with the IAP gene expression, as determined by subsequent analysis. Hence, BIRC2 could be an effective immunotherapy target for HNSCC. Collectively, novel knowledge of the biological roles and prognostic implications of IAP family members in HNSCC is presented in this study.