TY - JOUR AB - The prognosis of patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)‑negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is poorer than those with HPV‑positive HNSCC. The present study aimed to identify novel and specific biomarkers of HPV‑negative HNSCC using bioinformatics analysis and associated experiments. The gene expression profiles of HPV‑negative HNSCC tissues and corresponding clinical data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and used in a weighted gene co‑expression network analysis. Genes in clinically significant co‑expression modules were used to construct a protein‑protein interaction (PPI) network. The genes demonstrating a high degree score in the PPI network and a high correlation with tumor grade were considered hub genes. The diagnostic value of the hub genes associated with HPV‑negative and HPV‑positive HNSCC was analyzed using differential expression gene (DEG) analysis, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Seven genes [Serrate RNA effector molecule (SRRT), checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2), small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide E (SNRPE), proteasome 26S subunit ATPase 2 (PSMC2), origin recognition complex subunit 5 (ORC5), S100 calcium binding protein A7 and keratinocyte differentiation associated protein (KRTDAP)] were demonstrated to be hub genes in clinically significant co‑expression modules. DEG, IHC and ROC curve analyses revealed that SRRT, CHEK2 and SNRPE were significantly upregulated in HPV‑negative and HPV‑positive HNSCC tissues compared with in adjacent tissues, and these genes demonstrated a high diagnostic value for distinguishing HNSCC tissues. However, PSMC2, ORC5 and KRTDAP were the only differentially expressed genes identified in HPV‑negative HNSCC tissues, and these genes demonstrated a high diagnostic value for HPV‑negative HNSCC. PSMC2, ORC5 and KRTDAP may therefore serve as novel and specific biomarkers for HPV‑negative HNSCC, potentially improving the diagnosis and treatment of patients with HPV‑negative HNSCC. AD - Clinical Medical School, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, P.R. China School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, P.R. China Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 925 Hospital of The Joint Logistics Support Force of The Chinese People's Liberation Army, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China AU - Su,Yushen AU - Zeng,Zhirui AU - Rong,Dongyun AU - Yang,Yushi AU - Wu,Bei AU - Cao,Yu AU - Su,Yushen AU - Zeng,Zhirui AU - Rong,Dongyun AU - Yang,Yushi AU - Wu,Bei AU - Cao,Yu DA - 2021/04/01 DO - 10.3892/ol.2021.12550 IS - 4 JO - Oncol Lett KW - human papillomavirus‑negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma weighted gene co‑expression network analysis specific biomarker PY - 2021 SN - 1792-1074 1792-1082 SP - 289 ST - PSMC2, ORC5 and KRTDAP are specific biomarkers for HPV‑negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma T2 - Oncology Letters TI - PSMC2, ORC5 and KRTDAP are specific biomarkers for HPV‑negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.12550 VL - 21 ER -