N6-Methyladenosine RNA Methylation Regulators Have Clinical Prognostic Values in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Although it is widely accepted that N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) RNA methylation plays critical roles in tumorigenesis and progression, the values of m⁶A modification are less known in hepatocellular carcinoma. The major purpose of our current studies is to investigate the role of m⁶A regulators in hepatocellular carcinoma and whether it can affect the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Here we demonstrate that most of the m⁶A regulators are highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, we cluster hepatocellular carcinoma into two subgroups (cluster 1/2) by applying consensus clustering to m⁶A regulators. Compared with the cluster 1 subgroup, the cluster 2 subgroup was significantly associated with a higher pathological grade and survival. Based on these findings, we reveal a risk signature by using three m⁶A regulators, which are not only an independent prognostic marker but also a predictor of the clinicopathological features in hepatocellular carcinoma. In conclusion, m⁶A regulators are crucial participants in the malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and are potential targets for prognosis.