Identification of a prognostic risk signature and immune features in hepatocellular carcinoma

HUANG Shiqiong; HE Gefei; HUANG Juanjuan

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Journal of Hunan Normal University(Medical Science) ›› 2025, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (3) : 73-81.

Clinical Medicine

Identification of a prognostic risk signature and immune features in hepatocellular carcinoma

HUANG Shiqiong, HE Gefei, HUANG Juanjuan

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Abstract

Objective To screen signature genes and construct an effective prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ultimately providing a more accurate evaluation on prognosis for patients with HCC. Method DEGs between carcinoma tissue and normal tissue were identified based on the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. The signature genes for HCC were screened via univariate cox regression and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-cox regression. The multivariate cox analysis was used to construct a monogram and a prognostic risk score model. Based on this model, the patients were grouped into low-risk group and high-risk group. Enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment analysis was performed on DEGs between these two subgroups. CIBERSORT algorithm was employed to evaluate the level of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Results A total of 5 signature genes, including CCNB2, CCNB1, NDC80, RRM2 and MCM2, were identified from 613 overlapping DEGs in HCC. The prognostic risk score model was constructed based on these candidate genes. Patients in high-risk group had a significantly shorter OS compared with those in low-risk group. Univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis showed that both the risk scores from prognostic model and tumor stages were independent prognostic factors for HCC patients. Furthermore, based on risk scores and clinical information, the nomogram plot was constructed. It was shown that high-risk group was related to immune reactions according to gene set enrichment analysis. Further immune-infiltrating analysis revealed that the expression of the signature genes was positively correlated with the level of activated CD4⁺T cell memory but negatively related with the level of resting CD4⁺T cell memory. Conclusion This study screened 5 signature genes and constructed a prognostic risk model, providing novel insights and strategies for the prognosis and therapy of HCC.

Key words

prognostic / risk signature / hepatocellular carcinoma / immune infiltration

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HUANG Shiqiong, HE Gefei, HUANG Juanjuan. Identification of a prognostic risk signature and immune features in hepatocellular carcinoma[J]. Journal of Hunan Normal University(Medical Science). 2025, 22(3): 73-81

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