The Construction and Validation of a Prognostic Signature Linked to Endocytosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Abstract: Objective Efferocytosis is linked to a variety of disease progression, yet its role in cancer remains under-researched. This study aims at investigating the genes associated with efferocytosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to evaluate their significance in prognosis. Methods Transcriptomes and clinical data for HCC were sourced from TCGA and GEO databases. “Limma” R package was used for differential expression analysis. An efferocytosis-based prognostic signature was created with LASSO Cox regression analysis method, followed by a validation with GEO data. A prognostic nomogram was also developed by incorporating TNM stages and clinical factors. Results Thirty-three efferocytosis-related differentially expressed genes were identified. Within them, six key genes (i.e., ALDH2, C3, ANXA2, CD5L, IL33, and HAVCR1) were significantly correlated with the survival of HCC patients (P<0.01). The signature built on these genes was accurate and stable after validation in different datasets, which may serve as an independent overall survival predictor for HCC (P<0.01). The AUCs of the nomogram for predicting the 1, 3, and 5-year survival of HCC patients were 70.7%, 70.4%, and 70.1%. respectively. Conclusion Key efferocytosis genes were identified in this study to build a prognostic signature of HCC with an high accuracy, which provide new insight in HCC treatment and warrant further validation.

Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Efferocytosis, Prognostic Signature

XU Yun-fei, YAO Xiang-qing, LUO Mei-di. The Construction and Validation of a Prognostic Signature Linked to Endocytosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2024, 29(4): 400-407.

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