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Wang Y, Shang P, Xu C, Dong W, Zhang X, Xia Y, Sui C, Yang C. Novel genetic alterations in liver cancer distinguish distinct clinical outcomes and combination immunotherapy responses. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1416295. [PMID: 38948469 PMCID: PMC11211383 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1416295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Genomic profiling has revolutionized therapeutic interventions and the clinical management of liver cancer. However, pathogenetic mechanisms, molecular determinants of recurrence, and predictive biomarkers for first-line treatment (anti-PD-(L)1 plus bevacizumab) in liver cancer remain incompletely understood. Materials and methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) (a 603-cancer-gene panel) was applied for the genomic profiling of 232 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 22 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients, among which 47 unresectable/metastatic HCC patients underwent anti-PD-1 plus bevacizumab therapy. Genomic alterations were estimated for their association with vascular invasion (VI), location of onset, recurrence, overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and anti-PD-1 plus bevacizumab therapy response. Results: The genomic landscape exhibited that the most commonly altered genes in HCC were TP53, FAT3, PDE4DIP, KMT2C, FAT1, and MYO18A, while TP53, FAT1, FAT3, PDE4DIP, ROS1, and GALNT11 were frequently altered in ICC; notably, KRAS (18.18% vs. 1.29%) and BAP1 (13.64% vs. 1.29%) alterations were significantly more prevalent in ICC. Comparison analysis demonstrated the distinct clinicopathological/genomic characterizations between Chinese and Western HCC cohorts. Genomic profiling of HCC underlying VI showed that LDLR, MSH2, KDM5D, PDE3A, and FOXO1 were frequently altered in the VI group compared to patients without VIs. Compared to the right hepatic lobes of HCC patients, the left hepatic lobe of HCC patients had superior OS (median OS: 36.77 months vs. unreached, p < 0.05). By further comparison, Notch signaling pathway-related alterations were significantly prevalent among the right hepatic lobes of HCC patients. Of note, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that altered RB1, NOTCH3, MGA, SYNE1, and ZFHX3, as independent prognostic factors, were significantly correlated with the OS of HCC patients. Furthermore, altered LATS1 was abundantly enriched in the HCC-recurrent group, and impressively, it was independent of clinicopathological features in predicting RFS (median RFS of altered type vs. wild-type: 5.57 months vs. 22.47 months, p < 0.01). Regarding those treated HCC patients, TMB value, altered PTPRZ1, and cell cycle-related alterations were identified to be positively associated with the objective response rate (ORR), but KMT2D alterations were negatively correlated with ORR. In addition, altered KMT2D and cell cycle signaling were significantly associated with reduced and increased time to progression-free survival (PFS), respectively. Conclusion: Comprehensive genomic profiling deciphered distinct molecular characterizations underlying VI, location of onset, recurrence, and survival time in liver cancer. The identification of novel genetic predictors of response to anti-PD-1 plus bevacizumab in HCC facilitated the development of an evidence-based approach to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Wang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery IV and Clinical Research Institute, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peipei Shang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Biliary Tract Disease Institute, Biliary Tract Disease Center, and Cancer Center of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Department of Pathology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery IV and Clinical Research Institute, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Xia
- Department of Hepatic Surgery IV and Clinical Research Institute, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengjun Sui
- Department of Special Treatment, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Yang
- Department of Special Treatment, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Szilveszter RM, Muntean M, Florea A. Molecular Mechanisms in Tumorigenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and in Target Treatments-An Overview. Biomolecules 2024; 14:656. [PMID: 38927059 PMCID: PMC11201617 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary malignancy of the liver, with hepatocellular differentiation. It is ranked sixth among the most common cancers worldwide and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The most important etiological factors discussed here are viral infection (HBV, HCV), exposure to aflatoxin B1, metabolic syndrome, and obesity (as an independent factor). Directly or indirectly, they induce chromosomal aberrations, mutations, and epigenetic changes in specific genes involved in intracellular signaling pathways, responsible for synthesis of growth factors, cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, the metastasis process (including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the expression of adhesion molecules), and angiogenesis. All these disrupted molecular mechanisms contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, equally important is the interaction between tumor cells and the components of the tumor microenvironment: inflammatory cells and macrophages-predominantly with a pro-tumoral role-hepatic stellate cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts, cancer stem cells, extracellular vesicles, and the extracellular matrix. In this paper, we reviewed the molecular biology of hepatocellular carcinoma and the intricate mechanisms involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, and we highlighted how certain signaling pathways can be pharmacologically influenced at various levels with specific molecules. Additionally, we mentioned several examples of recent clinical trials and briefly described the current treatment protocol according to the NCCN guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raluca-Margit Szilveszter
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400340 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.F.)
- Cluj County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 400340 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mara Muntean
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Adrian Florea
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.F.)
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Shi H, Zou Y, Zhong W, Li Z, Wang X, Yin Y, Li D, Liu Y, Li M. Complex roles of Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:15311-15322. [PMID: 37608027 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05272-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Hippo signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling module that controls organ size in different species, and the disorder of the Hippo pathway can induce liver cancer in organisms, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The exact mechanism that causes cancer is still unknown. Recent studies have shown that it is a classical kinase cascade that phosphorylates the Mst1/2-sav1 complex and activates the phosphorylation of the Lats1/2-mob1A/B complex for inactivating Yap and Taz. These kinases and scaffolds are regarded as primary regulators of the Hippo pathway, and help in activating a variety of carcinogenic processes. Among them, Yap/Taz is seen to be the main effector molecule, which is downstream of the Hippo pathway, and its abnormal activation is related to a variety of human cancers including liver cancer. Currently, since Yap/Taz plays a variety of roles in cancer promotion and tumor regeneration, the Hippo pathway has emerged as an attractive target in recent drug development research. METHODS We collect and review relevant literature in web of Science and Pubmed. CONCLUSION This review highlights the important roles of Yap/Taz in activating Hippo pathway in liver cancer. The recent findings on the crosstalks between the Hippo and other cancer associated pathways and moleculars are also discussed. In this review, we summarized and discussed recent breakthroughs in our understanding of how key components of the Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway influence the hepatocellular carcinoma, including their effects on tumor occurrence and development, their roles in regulating metastasis, and their function in chemotherapy resistance. Further, the molecular mechanism and roles in regulating cross talk between Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway and other cancer-associated pathways or oncogenes/cancer suppressor genes were summarized and discussed. More, many other inducers and inhibitors of this signaling cascade and available experimental therapies against the YAP/TAZ/TEAD axis were discussed. Targeting this pathway for cancer therapy may have great significance in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Graphical summary of the complex role of Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hewen Shi
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Zou
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Zhong
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoying Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center, Shandong Public Health Clinical Center, Jinan, 250102, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxue Wang
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yancun Yin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, People's Republic of China
| | - Defang Li
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Liu
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Minjing Li
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
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Skandalis SS. CD44 Intracellular Domain: A Long Tale of a Short Tail. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5041. [PMID: 37894408 PMCID: PMC10605500 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
CD44 is a single-chain transmembrane receptor that exists in multiple forms due to alternative mRNA splicing and post-translational modifications. CD44 is the main cell surface receptor of hyaluronan as well as other extracellular matrix molecules, cytokines, and growth factors that play important roles in physiological processes (such as hematopoiesis and lymphocyte homing) and the progression of various diseases, the predominant one being cancer. Currently, CD44 is an established cancer stem cell marker in several tumors, implying a central functional role in tumor biology. The present review aims to highlight the contribution of the CD44 short cytoplasmic tail, which is devoid of any enzymatic activity, in the extraordinary functional diversity of the receptor. The interactions of CD44 with cytoskeletal proteins through specific structural motifs within its intracellular domain drives cytoskeleton rearrangements and affects the distribution of organelles and transport of molecules. Moreover, the CD44 intracellular domain specifically interacts with various cytoplasmic effectors regulating cell-trafficking machinery, signal transduction pathways, the transcriptome, and vital cell metabolic pathways. Understanding the cell type- and context-specificity of these interactions may unravel the high complexity of CD44 functions and lead to novel improved therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyros S Skandalis
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Res. Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
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Chen VCH, Huang SL, Huang JY, Hsu TC, Tzang BS, McIntyre RS. Combined Administration of Escitalopram Oxalate and Nivolumab Exhibits Synergistic Growth-Inhibitory Effects on Liver Cancer Cells through Inducing Apoptosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12630. [PMID: 37628813 PMCID: PMC10454364 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most lethal malignant cancers worldwide. However, the therapeutic options for advanced liver cancers are limited and reveal scant efficacy. The current study investigated the effects of nivolumab (Niv) and escitalopram oxalate (Esc) in combination on proliferation of liver cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Significantly decreased viability of HepG2 cells that were treated with Esc or Niv was observed in a dose-dependent manner at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. Administration of Esc (50 μM) + Niv (20 μM), Esc (75 μM) + Niv (5 μM), and Esc (75 μM) + Niv (20 μM) over 24 h exhibited synergistic effects, inhibiting the survival of HepG2 cells. Additionally, treatment with Esc (50 μM) + Niv (1 μM), Esc (50 μM) + Niv (20 μM), and Esc (75 μM) + Niv (20 μM) over 48 h exhibited synergistic effects, inhibiting the survival of HepG2 cells. Finally, treatment with Esc (50 μM) + Niv (1 μM), Esc (50 μM) + Niv (20 μM), and Esc (75 μM) + Niv (20 μM) for 72 h exhibited synergistic effects, inhibiting HepG2 survival. Com-pared with controls, HepG2 cells treated with Esc (50 μM) + Niv (20 μM) exhibited significantly increased sub-G1 portion and annexin-V signals. In a xenograft animal study, Niv (6.66 mg/kg) + Esc (2.5 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the growth of xenograft HepG2 tumors in nude mice. This study reports for the first time the synergistic effects of combined administration of Niv and Esc for inhibiting HepG2 cell proliferation, which may provide an alternative option for liver cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Chin-Hung Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan;
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi 61303, Taiwan; (S.-L.H.); (J.-Y.H.)
| | - Shao-Lan Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi 61303, Taiwan; (S.-L.H.); (J.-Y.H.)
| | - Jing-Yu Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi 61303, Taiwan; (S.-L.H.); (J.-Y.H.)
| | - Tsai-Ching Hsu
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Immunology Center, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Bor-Show Tzang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Immunology Center, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Roger S. McIntyre
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T2S8, Canada;
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T1R8, Canada
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Gerardo-Ramírez M, Giam V, Becker D, Groth M, Hartmann N, Morrison H, May-Simera HL, Radsak MP, Marquardt JU, Galle PR, Herrlich P, Straub BK, Hartmann M. Deletion of Cd44 Inhibits Metastasis Formation of Liver Cancer in Nf2-Mutant Mice. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091257. [PMID: 37174657 PMCID: PMC10177437 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. An increasing body of evidence suggests that the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway plays a critical role in restricting cell proliferation and determining cell fate during physiological and pathological processes in the liver. Merlin (Moesin-Ezrin-Radixin-like protein) encoded by the NF2 (neurofibromatosis type 2) gene is an upstream regulator of the Hippo signaling pathway. Targeting of Merlin to the plasma membrane seems to be crucial for its major tumor-suppressive functions; this is facilitated by interactions with membrane-associated proteins, including CD44 (cluster of differentiation 44). Mutations within the CD44-binding domain of Merlin have been reported in many human cancers. This study evaluated the relative contribution of CD44- and Merlin-dependent processes to the development and progression of liver tumors. To this end, mice with a liver-specific deletion of the Nf2 gene were crossed with Cd44-knockout mice and subjected to extensive histological, biochemical and molecular analyses. In addition, cells were isolated from mutant livers and analyzed by in vitro assays. Deletion of Nf2 in the liver led to substantial liver enlargement and generation of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (iCCAs), as well as mixed hepatocellular cholangiocarcinomas. Whilst deletion of Cd44 had no influence on liver size or primary liver tumor development, it significantly inhibited metastasis formation in Nf2-mutant mice. CD44 upregulates expression of integrin β2 and promotes transendothelial migration of liver cancer cells, which may facilitate metastatic spreading. Overall, our results suggest that CD44 may be a promising target for intervening with metastatic spreading of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monserrat Gerardo-Ramírez
- Department of Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Vanessa Giam
- Department of Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Diana Becker
- Department of Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Marco Groth
- Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Nils Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Helen Morrison
- Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745 Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich-Schiller University, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Helen L May-Simera
- Cilia Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Markus P Radsak
- Department of Medicine III, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jens U Marquardt
- Department of Medicine I, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, 23558 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Peter R Galle
- Department of Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Peter Herrlich
- Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Beate K Straub
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Monika Hartmann
- Department of Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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Risk Predictive Model Based on Three DDR-Related Genes for Predicting Prognosis, Therapeutic Sensitivity, and Tumor Microenvironment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:4869732. [PMID: 36213834 PMCID: PMC9546689 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4869732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the seventh most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Tumor mutational load, genomic instability, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were associated with DNA damage response and repair gene changes. The goal of this study is to estimate the chances of patients with HCC surviving their disease by constructing a DNA damage repair- (DDR-) related gene profile. The International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) provided us with the mRNA expression matrix as well as clinical information relevant to HCC patients. Using Cox regression and LASSO analysis, DEGs strongly related to general survival were discovered in the differentially expressed gene (DEG) study. In order to assess the model’s accuracy, Kaplan-Meier (KM) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were used. In order to compute the immune cell infiltration score and immune associated pathway activity, a single-sample gene set enrichment analysis was performed. A three-gene signature (CDC20, TTK, and CENPA) was created using stability selection and LASSO COX regression. In comparison to the low-risk group, the prognosis for the high-risk group was surprisingly poor. In the ICGC datasets, the predictive characteristic was confirmed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated for each cohort. The risk mark for HCC patients is a reliable predictor according to multivariate Cox regression analysis. According to ssGSEA, this signature was highly correlated with the immunological state of HCC patients. There was a significant correlation between the expression levels of prognostic genes and cancer cells’ susceptibility to antitumor therapies. Overall, a distinct gene profile associated with DDR was identified, and this pattern may be able to predict HCC patients’ long-term survival, immune milieu, and chemotherapeutic response.
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