# Multi-omics analysis identifies CLDN10 as a B-cell-associated prognostic biomarker in HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

## TL;DR

This study identifies CLDN10 as a biomarker linked to poor outcomes in HPV-negative head and neck cancer, possibly through its role in B-cell immune responses.

## Contribution

The study reveals CLDN10 as a novel B-cell-associated prognostic biomarker in HPV-negative HNSC.

## Key findings

- CLDN10 is downregulated in HPV-negative HNSC and linked to poor patient survival.
- Low CLDN10 expression correlates with reduced B-cell infiltration in HNSC.
- CLDN10 and its co-expressed genes are enriched in B-cell-related immune pathways.

## Abstract

The prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is poor, and new biomarkers are urgently needed. Claudin 10 (CLDN10) plays an important role in various tumors, but its function in HNSC remains unclear.

Through bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification, the expression, prognostic value, and immunological correlation of CLDN10 in HNSC were systematically evaluated.

CLDN10 is downregulated in human papillomavirus negative HNSC, and its low expression is significantly associated with a decreased overall survival of patients, and it is an independent prognostic factor. Functional enrichment analysis shows that CLDN10 and its co-expressed genes are mainly enriched in B-cell-related immune pathways. Further analysis indicates that the expression level of CLDN10 is strongly correlated with the degree of B-cell infiltration in HNSC.

The downregulation of CLDN10 is associated with poor prognosis in HNSC, especially in HPV-negative patients, and it has significant prognostic value. Its mechanism of action may involve the regulation of B-cell-mediated tumor immune response, providing potential targets for immunotherapy and prognosis assessment of HNSC.