Abstract
BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. We aimed to identify a new prognostic model of HCC based on differentially expressed (DE) immune genes.MethodsThe DE immune genes were identified based on an analysis of 374 cases of HCC and 50 adjacent non-tumor specimens from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Univariate Cox analysis, Lasso regression, and multivariate Cox analysis were used to construct the model based on the training group. Survival analysis and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate model performance. The testing group and the entire group were subsequently used for validation of the model.ResultsA five-immune gene model consisted of HSPA4, ISG20L2, NDRG1, EGF, and IL17D was identified. Based on the model, the overall survival was significantly different between the high-risk and low-risk groups (P = 7.953e-06). The AUCs for the model at 1- and 3-year were 0.849 and 0.74, respectively. The reliability of the model was confirmed using the validation groups. The risk score was identified as an independent prognostic parameter and closely related to the content of immune cells from human HCC specimens.ConclusionWe identified a five-immune gene model that can be used as an independent prognostic marker for HCC.
Highlights
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with a poor prognosis
Data download Data for 374 tumors and 50 normal controls were downloaded from the the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data portal
In this study, we identified an immune gene model that can serve as an independent prognostic factor for HCC
Summary
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. We aimed to identify a new prognostic model of HCC based on differentially expressed (DE) immune genes. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is common malignancy worldwide, being the third leading cause of cancerassociated death globally. The symptoms and signs of early HCC are hard to notice, making its diagnosis often delayed, which is partly related to the poor prognosis [3,4,5]. Immunotherapy has become an important approach for HCC treatment [3]. Several immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD-L1, anti-CTLA-4, and anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies, have displayed therapeutic effects for HCC [9, 10], both in the induction and maintenance of treatments [11, 12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
