Abstract
BackgroundThe tumor immune microenvironment is pivotal in predicting clinical outcomes and therapeutic efficacy in cancer patients. This study aims to develop an immune prediction model (IPM) to effectively predict prognosis and immunotherapeutic response in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsAn IPM was constructed and validated based on immune-related genes. The influence of IPM on the HCC immune microenvironment, as well as the possible mechanism, was comprehensively analyzed. The value of the model in predicting the response of HCC patients to immunotherapy was also evaluated.ResultsA novel IPM based on eight genes was developed and validated to predict the prognosis of HCC patients. These genes are matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP12), heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 6 (CXCR6), hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF), placental growth factor (PGF), tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), retinoid X receptor beta (RXRB), and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). High-risk patients showed significantly poorer survival than low-risk patients. A nomogram was also established based on the IPM and tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) classification, which showed some net clinical benefit. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed several significantly enriched oncological signatures and immunologic signatures. Furthermore, high-risk patients were characterized by severe clinicopathological characteristics and immune cell infiltration. Finally, we found the that the IPM showed a significant positive correlation with programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1), cluster of differentiation 274 (CD274), and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) expression, suggesting a potentially enhanced effects of immunotherapy antibodies in HCC patients with a high risk score.ConclusionsA novel IPM that could predict clinical prognosis and immunotherapeutic response in HCC patients was developed. Our findings not only provide new insights into the identification of HCC patients with poor survival, but also deepen our understanding of the immune microenvironment, as well as the mechanism of immunotherapy, in HCC.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
