Dataset Information

[18F]FDG PET/CT multiomics identifies Hedgehog-driven HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

ABSTRACT: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy with limited predictive markers to guide personalized treatment, particularly in human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative cases, which exhibit poor outcomes. Identifying reliable biomarkers for prognosis and therapeutic response remains a critical challenge. In a retrospective cohort of 51 patients with primary HPV-negative HNSCC, we investigated the prognostic significance of the Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway and its association with imaging biomarkers. Genomic and transcriptomic analysis revealed that HH pathway activation correlated with distinct [18F]FDG PET/CT radiomic features, notably the PET-derived “histogram:ih.max” - a surrogate for peak [18F]FDG uptake and was associated with inferior survival outcomes. Functionally, pharmacologic inhibition of HH signaling demonstrated anticancer efficacy across multiple models, including HNSCC cell lines, patient-derived tumoroids, and in vivo xenograft models. Importantly, HH inhibition altered imaging characteristics in HNSCC xenografts, leading to a measurable reduction in [18F]FDG uptake. This imaging phenotype closely mirrored our clinical findings, suggesting that [18F]FDG PET/CT radiomics may serve as a non-invasive biomarker to identify and monitor HH-driven HNSCC tumors. The integration of multi-level molecular profiling and functional imaging supports a potential precision oncology strategy, in which HH inhibition may offer a viable therapeutic approach for HPV-negative HNSCC. Our study underscores the value of [18F]FDG PET/CT multiomics in linking tumor biology with imaging features, paving the way for improved patient stratification and treatment monitoring. These findings provide a compelling rationale for further investigation into HH-targeted therapies in this aggressive subset of HNSCC and their clinical implications.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE316548 | GEO | 2026/02/09

REPOSITORIES: GEO

ACCESS DATA

Dataset's files

Source:

			Action	DRS
		Other

Items per page:

1 - 1 of 1

Similar Datasets

Project description:The feasibility of longitudinal metastatic biopsies for gene expression profiling in breast cancer is unexplored. Dynamic changes in gene expression can potentially predict efficacy of targeted cancer drugs. Patients enrolled in a phase III trial of metastatic breast cancer with sunitinib combined with docetaxel (SU+DOC) versus docetaxel alone (DOC) were offered to participate in a translational substudy comprising longitudinal fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) and positron emission imaging before (T1) and two weeks after start of treatment (T2). Aspirated tumor material was used for microarray analysis, and treatment-induced changes (T2 versus T1) in gene expression and standardized uptake values were investigated. Twenty-one patients were included in the docetaxel ± sunitinib trial at Karolinska and 18 of them agreed to participate in the substudy. Of the 18 women enrolled, 8 were randomly assigned to SU+DOC and 10 to DOC. Metastatic FNAB were carried out in 17 of the 18 patients at both time points with no complications reported. Representative tumor material, sufficient for RNA extraction was obtained in 15 patients at T1 and 14 patients at T2. Matched samples both at T1 and T2 were obtained for 14 subjects, 7 in each arm. The main objective was to determine whether gene expression profiling is feasible using sequential, intra-patient FNAB. Secondary objectives were to identify potential biomarkers of early response by gene expression and/or functional imaging and to explore drug action in vivo by changes in gene expression. A Karolinska substudy of the docetaxel ± sunitinib phase III clinical trial utilising sequential metastatic fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) and 18-F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT). In brief, the randomized docetaxel ± sunitinib trial compared sunitinib combined with docetaxel (SU+DOC) versus docetaxel alone (DOC), as first line therapy in patients with HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer. Patients in the exploratory substudy were subjected to baseline FDG PET/CT assessment, followed by FNAB of one tumor lesion prior to start of treatment (Time point T1). FDG PET/CT and FNAB were repeated at Day 14 ± 1 (Time point T2) when sunitinib has achieved steady state.

Dataset Information

[18F]FDG PET/CT multiomics identifies Hedgehog-driven HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Dataset's files

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets