TCOF1 in extracellular vesicles predicts survival in patients with HCC treated with high-dose conformal radiotherapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The lack of reliable biomarkers to predict treatment response limits patient stratification and personalized therapy. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a minimally invasive source of tumor-derived proteins that may reflect treatment-relevant biological changes. This study investigated EV-based protein profiling in patients with HCC undergoing high-dose conformal radiotherapy to identify prognostic biomarkers associated with treatment response and overall survival.

Plasma samples from 37 patients with HCC treated with high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-BT) were analyzed. EVs were isolated using EVTrap magnetic beads (Tymora Analytical, West Lafayette, IN, USA). Proteomic profiling was performed by mass spectrometry to identify differential protein expression between responders and non-responders. Statistical analyses included Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U tests. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests, and prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate Cox regression. A two-sided p <0.05 was considered significant.

A total of 2,187 unique EV proteins were identified, of which 25 showed differential expression between patients' subgroups. EV-TCOF1 (treacle ribosome biogenesis factor 1) was strongly associated with poor survival, with a hazard ratio of 6.64 (CI 2.24-19.69) and p <0.001. Multivariate analysis confirmed EV-TCOF1 as an independent predictor of overall survival. Immunohistochemistry analysis supported the tumoral origin of EV-TCOF1. External validation further demonstrated TCOF1 as a robust prognostic marker.

EV-TCOF1 emerged as a candidate biomarker associated with therapy response and shorter overall survival in an explorative cohort of patients with HCC undergoing local high-dose conformal radiotherapy. These findings highlight the potential of EV-based proteomics as a minimally invasive tool to refine prognostic assessment in HCC and the emerging role of EV-TCOF1 specifically warrants further investigation to validate its clinical utility.

This study addresses the need for reliable, minimally invasive biomarkers to predict treatment response and survival in patients with HCC undergoing radiation therapy. As a component of liquid biopsy, circulating extracellular vesicles provide a non-invasive window into tumor biology. EV-associated TCOF1 may inform risk-adapted treatment planning, surveillance strategies, and the identification of patients who could benefit from alternative therapies. More broadly, these findings support the integration of EV-based biomarkers into translational research and the development of non-invasive approaches to personalized cancer care.

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00010587.