Multimodal fusion model for prognostic prediction and radiotherapy response assessment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Journal: NPJ digital medicine
Published Date: May 23, 2025

Abstract

Accurate prediction of prognosis and postoperative radiotherapy response is critical for personalized treatment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We developed a multimodal deep learning model (MDLM) integrating computed tomography, whole-slide images, and clinical features from 1087 HNSCC patients across multiple centers. The MDLM exhibited good performance in predicting overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival in external test cohorts. Additionally, the MDLM outperformed unimodal models. Patients with a high-risk score who underwent postoperative radiotherapy exhibited prolonged OS compared to those who did not (P = 0.016), whereas no significant improvement in OS was observed among patients with a low-risk score (P = 0.898). Biological exploration indicated that the model may be related to changes in the cytochrome P450 metabolic pathway, tumor microenvironment, and myeloid-derived cell subpopulations. Overall, the MDLM effectively predicts prognosis and postoperative radiotherapy response, offering a promising tool for personalized HNSCC therapy.

Authors

  • Ruxian Tian
    Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, China.
  • Feng Hou
    Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Shandong, China.
  • Haicheng Zhang
    Department of Radiology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
  • Guohua Yu
    Department of Oncology, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China.
  • Ping Yang
    Key Laboratory of Grain and Oil Processing and Food Safety of Sichuan Province, College of Food and Bioengineering, Xihua University Chengdu 610039 China xingyage1@163.com.
  • Jiaxuan Li
    State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
  • Ting Yuan
    Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
  • Xi Chen
    Department of Critical care medicine, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Shenzhen, China.
  • Ying Chen
    Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fudan Institute of Metabolic Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
  • Yan Hao
    Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.
  • Yisong Yao
    Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, China.
  • Hongfei Zhao
    Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, ZiBo Central Hospital, Shandong, China.
  • Pengyi Yu
    Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, People's Republic of China.
  • Han Fang
    Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, China.
  • Liling Song
    The Second School of Clinical Medicine of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China.
  • Anning Li
    Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
  • Zhonglu Liu
    Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, China.
  • Huaiqing Lv
    Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong Second Medical University, Linyi, China. lvhuaiqing@126.com.
  • Dexin Yu
    Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
  • Hongxia Cheng
    Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China. hongxiacheng322@hotmail.com.
  • Ning Mao
    Department of Radiology, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xizhimen Nandajie, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China.
  • Xicheng Song
    Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, People's Republic of China. drxchsong@163.com.

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