Published online Jan 24, 2024. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v15.i1.62
Peer-review started: October 23, 2023
First decision: November 23, 2023
Revised: December 12, 2023
Accepted: December 28, 2023
Article in press: December 28, 2023
Published online: January 24, 2024
Transcatheter arterial embolisation (TACE) is a primary therapeutic strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in the intermediate and advanced stages. In China, TACE refractoriness is defined as the intrahepatic target lesion that remains in a disease progression state after receiving standardised and refined TACE treatment for three or more times consecutively.
It is essential to identify biomarkers for predicting TACE refractoriness and to explore the potential mechanisms of TACE refractoriness.
The purpose of our study is to identify the key genes associated with TACE refractoriness and investigate the potential mechanisms of TACE refractoriness.
The gene expression profile was obtained from the public databases. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and the cytoHubba plugin were utilised to identify the key genes in TACE refractoriness. Multivariate Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier were employed. ScRNA analysis was used for exploring the potential mechanisms of TACE refractoriness.
Five key genes (DLGAP5, KIF20A, ASPM, KIF11, and TPX2) were all up-regulated in TACE non-responders, which predicted poor prognosis. TPX2 is recognised as an independent prognostic factor. TACE refractoriness-related genes were mainly active in hepatocytes and embryonic stem cells. Hepatocytes and embryonic stem cells showed strong cellular interactions in HCC.
Five key genes (DLGAP5, KIF20A, ASPM, KIF11, and TPX2) were identified as being associated with TACE refractoriness. Hepatocytes and embryonic stem cells probably promoted TACE refractoriness.
More vivo and vitro experiments are essential to elaborate and verify the significance of the key genes and the potential mechanisms involved in TACE refractoriness.