Abstract

The pivotal role of cuproptosis in the beginning and progression of various cancers is evident. Yet, the influence of cuproptosis-related genes on oral squamous cell carcinoma has not been thoroughly explored. In the present study, we determine distinct oral squamous cell carcinoma classifications and formulate a new prognostic indicator for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Transcriptomic data and patient outcomes were gathered from the cancer genome atlas repository and then 12 cuproptosis-related genes were identified and analyzed. Thereafter, a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-based risk score signature involving 7 cuproptosis-related genes was constructed. All patients were classified into high and low-risk groups, followed by analyses of the immune landscape and sensitivity to different therapies in different groups. In addition, column line graphs were plotted to predict outcomes based on different clinic pathological features. Based on the identified 12 cuproptosis-related genes, 2 subtypes of cuproptosis were identified. Patients in the high-risk group had advanced clinical stages and worse overall survival. Furthermore, the immune response and function were significantly suppressed in patients of the high-risk group, which may be an important contributor to their poor prognosis. Oral squamous cell carcinoma patients were arranged into high and low-risk subgroups based on risk scores. The results exhibited that the survival probability of patients was markedly higher in the low-risk group than in the high-risk group (p<0.001). Following that, a precise bar line chart was devised to augment the clinical usefulness of the risk score, exhibiting strong predictive capabilities and calibration. Patients with both low and high risk displayed notable immune cell penetration and modifications in immune checkpoints. Further analysis of risk scores revealed that low-risk patients were sensitive to immunotherapy and multiple chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, we identify 2 cuproptosis subgroups and construct a new prognostic model, thus providing new insight into the prognostic assessment of oral squamous cell carcinoma subtypes and guidance for the development of more effective treatment options.