NSD1- and NSD2-damaging mutations define a subset of laryngeal tumors with favorable prognosis

Nat Commun. 2017 Nov 24;8(1):1772. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-01877-7.

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) affect anatomical sites including the oral cavity, nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Laryngeal cancers are characterized by high recurrence and poor overall survival, and currently lack robust molecular prognostic biomarkers for treatment stratification. Using an algorithm for integrative clustering that simultaneously assesses gene expression, somatic mutation, copy number variation, and methylation, we for the first time identify laryngeal cancer subtypes with distinct prognostic outcomes, and differing from the non-prognostic laryngeal subclasses reported by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Although most common laryngeal gene mutations are found in both subclasses, better prognosis is strongly associated with damaging mutations of the methyltransferases NSD1 and NSD2, with findings confirmed in an independent validation cohort consisting of 63 laryngeal cancer patients. Intriguingly, NSD1/2 mutations are not prognostic for nonlaryngeal SCCHN. These results provide an immediately useful clinical metric for patient stratification and prognostication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Histone Methyltransferases
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Prognosis
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / enzymology
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / genetics
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / mortality

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Histone Methyltransferases
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • NSD1 protein, human
  • NSD2 protein, human