A Pan-Cancer Transcriptomic Signature for Conserved Molecular Programs Underlying Premalignant–Malignant Progression Across Common Carcinomas

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Background/Objectives: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) commonly arises from oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), yet reliable molecular biomarkers that predict malignant transformation remain scarce. Because epithelial carcinogenesis follows similar multistep trajectories across multiple organs, pan-cancer transcriptional analyses may reveal conserved pathways relevant to early oral tumorigenesis. This study aimed to identify shared transcriptional signatures across carcinomas and evaluate their applicability to precancerous-to-carcinoma progression. Methods: Bulk RNA-seq data from five carcinomas (lung, colon, breast, prostate, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, HNSCC) were obtained from TCGA to identify shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (|log2FC| ≥ 2; FDR < 0.05). Functional enrichment, clustering, and gene–pathway network analyses characterized conserved biological processes. Independent GEO datasets containing premalignant and malignant samples, including OPMD and OSCC cohorts, were examined to assess early-stage relevance. Results: A conserved 45-gene signature was identified, enriched for transcriptional regulation, chromatin organization, and RNA polymerase II-mediated processes. Regulatory hubs, including ZIC5, MYBL2, ONECUT2, POU4F1, and PDX1, and strong upregulation of cancer-testis antigens (MAGEA3, MAGEA6, MAGEC2) were notable. Integration with premalignant datasets revealed 13 genes consistently dysregulated across early lesions, involving pathways such as cell differentiation, apoptosis, and lipid transport. Several genes remained altered from normal tissue through OPMD to OSCC, supporting their potential as stable biomarkers. Conclusions: This study identifies conserved transcriptional programs shared across epithelial cancers and detectable in OPMDs. These findings highlight promising biomarker and regulatory candidates for improving early detection and risk stratification of oral precancer, addressing a critical unmet need in OSCC prevention and clinical management.

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