A New Establishment of Cuproptosis-Related Long Non-Coding RNA Signature to Predict Prognosis in Head and Neck Squamous cell Carcinomas

Abstract Background Cuproptosis is a novel type of programmed cell death which plays an important role in the development and progression of cancer. However, there is a limited amount of research on cuproptosis-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature for HNSCC prognosis. Method Transcriptomic and clinical data of HNSCC patients were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We established a cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature and then constructed a hybrid nomogram based on risk scores and clinical factors. We also performed differential expression genes (DEGs) function, immune cells infiltration, immune checkpoint analysis based on cuproptosis-associated lncRNA signature. Results A signature of 27 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs was performed and the prognosis of patients at high risk is worse compared with patients at low risk based on above signature. A nomogram which integrated risk scores and clinical features also showed favorable predictive power. Furthermore, DEGs in high or low risk group were mainly enriched in immune-related pathways. Anti-tumor immune cells and immune checkpoints were mainly enriched in low risk group compared with high risk group. Conclusion Cuproptosis-related lncRNAs could be regarded as independent indicators for HNSCC prognosis which might be effective targets for HNSCC therapy.