摘要
出身背景
肝细胞癌是一种严重的恶性疾病，发病率高，死亡率高，预后差。本研究旨在建立一种基于凋亡相关基因（ARGs）的新信号，以预测HCC的预后。
方法
从TCGA数据库下载HCC的表达数据，从MSigDB下载160个ARGs的列表。通过单变量Cox回归分析和lasso-Cox回归分析选择凋亡相关信号中包含的基因。随后，开发了一个对患者进行评分的预后风险模型，然后将患者分为两组。进行Kaplan–Meier和受试者操作特征分析，以评估TCGA、GEO和ICGC数据库中模型的预后价值。研究了两组HCC的免疫细胞浸润特点。最后，绘制列线图以可视化预后预测。
后果
9个基因（CDC25B、DAP3、ETF1、GSR、LGALS3、MGMT、PPP2R5B、SQSTM1和VDAC2）被纳入预后风险模型。高危组的存活率较低。令人惊讶的是，与低风险组相比，高风险组的免疫细胞浸润明显更多，免疫核心和stromalscore也更高。此外，风险评分是HCC的一个独立预后因素。
结论
包括9个ARG的预后标志可作为HCC的潜在预后因素。这也为进一步了解HCC的免疫治疗提供了重要的思路。
Abstract
Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious malignant disease with high incidence, high mortality and poor prognosis. This study aimed to establish a novel signature based on apoptosis-related genes (ARGs) to predict the prognosis of HCC.

Methods
Expression data of HCC from TCGA database and the list of 160 ARGs from MSigDB were downloaded. The genes included in apoptosis-related signature were selected by univariate Cox regression analysis and lasso Cox regression analysis. Subsequently, a prognostic risk model for scoring patients was developed, and then separates patients into two groups. Kaplan–Meier and receiver operating characteristic analysis were performed to evaluate the prognostic value of the model in TCGA, GEO and ICGC databases. The characteristics of immune cell infiltration between two groups of HCC were investigated. Finally, a nomogram was plotted to visualize the prognosis prediction.

Results
Nine genes (CDC25B, DAP3, ETF1, GSR, LGALS3, MGMT, PPP2R5B, SQSTM1 and VDAC2) were included in the prognostic risk model. Survival was lower in the high-risk group. Surprisingly, the high-risk group was significantly more in immune cell infiltration and with higher immunoscore and stromalscore than in the low-risk group. In addition, the risk score was an independent prognostic factor for HCC.

Conclusions
Prognostic signature comprising nine ARGs could be used as a potential prognostic factor for HCC. It also provides an important idea for further understanding the immunotherapy of HCC.

https://bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12876-022-02481-w