High Expression of CHD1L , a Potent Oncogene Is Associated With Aggressive Head and Neck Cancer and Poor Survival Outcome

OBJECTIVE: Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and has a significant impact on the lives of patients. This study aimed to examine the role and significance of Chromodomain Helicase/ATPase DNA Binding protein 1-Like (CHD1L) in HNSCC. METHODS: CHD1L expression was analyzed using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA-HNSCC) dataset, along with the clinical and clinicopathological features of HNSCC. Additionally, CHD1L mRNA expression was quantified using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The survival rate of patients with HNSCC was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Furthermore, in silico tools were employed to investigate CHD1L protein networks and functional pathways involved in HNSCC development. RESULTS: mRNA and protein expression studies, along with in vitro and in silico analyses, confirmed that CHD1L expression was significantly higher in HNSCC tissues than in normal tissues. Clinicopathological analysis revealed associations between CHD1L expression and HPV status, nodal metastasis, disease stage, and tumor grade. Elevated CHD1L levels are also associated with poor patient survival. Functional enrichment analysis showed that CHD1L was associated with HNSCC progression. CONCLUSION: CHD1L is significantly upregulated in HNSCC and associated with poor survival outcomes. This suggests that CHD1L may serve as a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker for HNSCC. Further research is necessary to explore the functional role of CHD1L in the development and progression of HNSCC.