Inflammatory Response-Related Long Non-Coding RNA Signature Predicts the Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents significant heterogeneity, complicating prognosis prediction.
• The inflammatory response critically influences tumorigenesis and the tumor microenvironment, impacting patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression profiles linked to the inflammatory response in HCC.
• To develop a robust lncRNA signature for predicting HCC patient prognosis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized TCGA-LIHC dataset for HCC sample analysis.
• Constructed an inflammatory response-related lncRNA signature using univariate Cox, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression.
• Validated the signature's predictive accuracy using AUC, DCA, and nomogram analysis.

Main Results:

• Identified a seven-lncRNA signature significantly associated with HCC prognosis.
• High-risk patients exhibited poorer survival outcomes.
• The signature demonstrated superior accuracy compared to traditional clinicopathological factors.
• Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed distinct pathway differences between risk groups.
• Significant variations in immune cell infiltration and function were observed between high- and low-risk groups.

Conclusions:

• A novel seven-lncRNA signature (AC145207.5, POLHAS1, AL928654.1, MKLN1AS, AL031985.3, PRRT3AS1, and AC023157.2) accurately predicts HCC prognosis.
• This signature offers potential for developing new immune-targeted therapies for HCC.