CXCL family-related classification predicts prognosis and response to immunotherapy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most prevalent malignant cancer worldwide. The cysteine X cysteine (CXC) chemokine family contains 17 members. Increasing evidence supports that CXC chemokines are crucial for the growth, invasion, metastasis, and microenvironment of tumour cells. Although the precise functions of CXC ligands (CXCLs) in HNSCC are unclear, these proteins are considered to play important roles in controlling tumour growth and forming the tumour immune environment. Results: We identified two subtypes of HNSCC associated with the CXCL family through consensus clustering, named as clusters 1 and 2. Patients with the cluster 1 subtype showed favourable clinical outcomes, considerable immune cell infiltration, and improved immune response signalling pathway modulation. We developed a nomogram of CXCL family scores for therapeutic use and CXCL family scores to predict the overall survival of patients with HNSCC. Patients with lower CXCL family scores showed longer overall survival and higher immune cell infiltration in their tissues. Conclusion: We developed a new classification method for HNSCC using the CXCL family genes. This method can be used clinically to evaluate the prognosis and response to immunotherapy in patients with HNSCC.