To evaluate the prognostic and immunological significance of folate metabolism in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and identify potential biomarkers for risk stratification.
Key Findings:
The FMRG_score effectively classified patients into distinct survival cohorts.
High FMRG_score correlated with reduced anti-tumor immune infiltration and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
CYP27B1 knockdown enhanced cisplatin sensitivity and inhibited malignant characteristics.
Interpretation:
Folate metabolism serves as a critical metabolic–immune axis in HNSCC, with the FMRG_score offering valuable prognostic and therapeutic insights.
Limitations:
The study relies on retrospective analysis of TCGA data, which may limit generalizability.
Further validation in independent cohorts is necessary to confirm findings.
Conclusion:
The FMRG_score may serve as a promising tool for prognostic and therapeutic stratification in HNSCC, highlighting the importance of folate metabolism in tumor progression.
