Abstract
Background and objectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal cancer with increasing incidence, yet the molecular biomarkers that have strong prognostic impact and also hold great therapeutic promise remain elusive. MethodsData mining approaches with a set of publicly accessible databases and immunohistochemistry were used to provide a novel insight into the expression pattern and prognostic significance of the esophageal cancer-related gene (ECRG) family members in HCC. ResultsWe found that elevated mRNA expression levels of ECRG factors were correlated with better overall survival, relapse-free survival and progression-free survival rates in patients with HCC. Subgroup analyses showed significant associations between ECRG expression and survival outcome in select HCC patients. In addition, immunohistochemical and multivariate analysis confirmed increased ECRG4 expression as an independent prognostic indicator for survival. ConclusionsOur data suggest that ECRG factors have significant impacts on the survival of HCC patients. The expression of ECRG factors may be involved in HCC progression and could serve as novel biomarkers for predicting more accurate prognosis.
Highlights
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide and the second most common malignancy in China [1, 2]
We found that elevated mRNA expression levels of esophageal cancer-related gene (ECRG) factors were correlated with better overall survival, relapse-free survival and progression-free survival rates in patients with HCC
The expression of ECRG factors may be involved in HCC progression and could serve as novel biomarkers for predicting more accurate prognosis
Summary
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide and the second most common malignancy in China [1, 2]. Despite new discoveries and technologies dedicated to precision medicine, the molecular mechanisms behind the initiation, progression and pathogenesis of HCC cancer remain unclear. This impedes designing effective and personalized chemo- and bio-therapy strategies. Our group noticed that attenuated ECRG4 protein expression was significantly correlated with breast cancer metastasis and patient survival [19]. Despite such great promise, the specific roles of individual ECRG family members in HCC and their association with patient outcomes have not been well documented. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal cancer with increasing incidence, yet the molecular biomarkers that have strong prognostic impact and hold great therapeutic promise remain elusive
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