Characterization of diagnostic and prognostic significance of cell cycle-linked genes in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Background The high degree of heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) imposes a significant challenge to predict the prognosis. Currently, increasing evidence has indicated that cell cycle-linked genes are strongly linked to occurrence and progress of HCC. Herein, we purposed to create a prediction model on the basis of cell cycle-linked genes. Methods The transcriptome along with clinicopathological data abstracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used as a training cohort. Lasso regression analysis was employed to create a prediction model in TCGA cohort. The data of samples obtained from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) data resource were applied in the verification of the model. A series of bioinformatics analyzed the relationship of the risk signature with overall survival (OS), biological function, and clinicopathological features. Results Six cell cycle-linked genes ( PLK1, CDC20, HSP90AA1, CHEK1, HDAC1 , and NDC80 ) were chosen to create the prognostic model, demonstrating a good prognostic capacity. Further analyses indicated that the model could independently assess the OS of HCC patients. A single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) indicated that the risk signature was remarkably linked to immune status. Additionally, there was a remarkable association of the risk signature with TP53 mutation frequency, as well as immune checkpoint molecule expression levels. Conclusions We created a prediction model using six cell cycle-linked genes to predict HCC prognosis. The six genes are expected to be novel markers for HCC diagnosis, as well as treatment.

Establishment and verification of a prognostic risk score model based on immune genes for hepatocellular carcinoma in an Asian population

“…In recent years, liquid biopsy also promises to become an emerging tool for liver cancer diagnosis, with researchers actively pursuing novel biomarkers to advance HCC detection. For example, six cell cycle-linked genes ( PLK1 , CDC20 , HSP90AA1 , CHEK1 , HDAC1 , and NDC80 ) were chosen to create a prognostic model and shows a good prognostic capacity ( 11 ).…”

Comprehensive analysis of CPSF4-related alternative splice genes in hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Notwithstanding, the vast majority of patients have negligible or no clinical benefit from immune checkpoint blockade, far from meeting clinical needs (Newman et al 2015 ; Angelova et al 2015 ). Hence, thorough study of the pathophysiology of HCC and the identification of new therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers are of tremendous clinical significance for enhancing the efficiency of immunotherapy medications and enhancing the prognosis and quality of life of patients (Wang et al 2021a ).…”