GCSF as a Potential Molecular Target for Overall Survival of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract in the world. Therefore, it is important to carry out studies on the molecular mechanisms of early diagnosis and treatment of HCC to reduce mortality.

Bioinformatic analysis was performed to explore the significant role of GCSF on the occurrence and development of neoplasm. Differently expressed genes (DEGs) were screened, and the significant hub genes related to GCSF were identified by the multiple algorithms of Cytoscape. Functional annotation for DEGs, pathological stage, and overall survival analysis were implemented. In addition, the verification for the role of GCSF on HCC was made via the clinical samples. A total of 70 participates diagnosed as HCC were recruited from November 2014 to November 2019. The immunohistochemistry assay, qRT-PCR, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and overall survival analysis were carried out.

GCSF was related to the tumor size, and the expression of GCSF was up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. The enrichment results of GO and KEGG analysis were mainly enriched in "Inflammatory response", "Protein binding", "Metabolic pathways", and "Proteasome". The tumor diameter (P < 0.001), and survival time (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with the expression of GCSF via the verification of clinical data. The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional regression analysis manifested that high expression of GCSF in patients with HCC was related to poor OS.

The expression level of GCSF is significantly associated with the prognostic survival of HCC, and it is expected to become a new prognostic marker of HCC, providing a novel idea for future basic research as well as targeted therapy.