Fig. 1: Identification of USP10 as a key oncogene in HNSCC.

A Immunohistochemistry (IHC) detecting USP10 expressions in HNSCC specimens as well as matched normal tissues. Quantification data was shown below. B Quantification of USP10 mRNA levels via RT-qPCR in tumor and normal samples. C, D Differential analysis of USP10 mRNA levels in samples derived from TCGA-HNSCC (C), and GSE6791 (D). E–G Kruskal–Wallias test shows the correlations between USP10 levels and clinical characteristics, including tumor stages (E), tumor grades (F), and nodal metastasis status (G). H Multivariable analyses were performed in the TCGA-HNSCC cohort. All bars correspond to 95% CIs. I The time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for the clinical risk score (TNM stage), the USP10 risk score, and the combined USP10 and clinical risk scores in the HNSCC cohort. AUC, the area under the curve. J Kaplan–Meier analysis showing the differential overall survival (OS) outcomes in patients with high-, and -low USP10 levels. K–M Kaplan–Meier survival curves were generated in other public datasets, including GSE65858 (K), GSE10300 (L), and GSE27020 (M). Data represent the Mean ± SD of at least three independent experiments. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001. Differences were tested using an un-paired Student’s t test (B–D), and the log-rank test (J–M).