Journal Article

Custom gene expression panel for evaluation of potential molecular markers in hepatocellular carcinoma

Velavan, Thirumalaisamy P., Giang, Dao Phuong, Toan, Nguyen Linh, Pallerla, Srinivas Reddy, Hoan, Nghiem Xuan, Meyer, Christian G., Van Tong, Hoang, Bang, Mai Hong, Rachakonda, Sivaramakrishna, Song, Le Huu, Kremsner, Peter G., Linh, Le Thi Kieu

2022

Overview

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. It is a highly heterogeneous disease with poor prognosis and limited treatment options, which highlights the need for reliable biomarkers. This study aims to explore molecular markers that allow stratification of HCC and may lead to better prognosis and treatment prediction. Materials and methods We studied 20 candidate genes (HCC hub genes, potential drug target genes, predominant somatic mutant genes) retrieved from literature and public databases with potential to be used as the molecular markers. We analysed expression of the genes by RT-qPCR in 30 HCC tumour and adjacent non-tumour paired samples from Vietnamese patients. Fold changes in expression were then determined using the 2 −∆∆CT method, and unsupervised hierarchical clustering was generated using Cluster v3.0 software. Results Clustering of expression data revealed two subtypes of tumours (proliferative and normal-like) and four clusters for genes. The expression profiles of the genes TOP2A, CDK1, BIRC5, GPC3, IGF2, and AFP were strongly correlated. Proliferative tumours were characterized by high expression of the c -MET, ARID1A, CTNNB1, RAF1, LGR5 , and GLUL1 genes. TOP2A, CDK1 , and BIRC5 HCC hub genes were highly expressed (> twofold) in 90% (27/30), 83% (25/30), and 83% (24/30) in the tissue samples, respectively. Among the drug target genes, high expression was observed in the GPC3, IGF2 and c-MET genes in 77% (23/30), 63% (19/30), and 37% (11/30), respectively. The somatic mutant Wnt/ß-catenin genes ( CTNNB1, GLUL and LGR5 ) and TERT were highly expressed in 40% and 33% of HCCs, respectively. Among the HCC marker genes, a higher percentage of tumours showed GPC3 expression compared to AFP expression [73% (23/30) vs. 43% (13/30)]. Conclusion The custom panel and molecular markers from this study may be useful for diagnosis, prognosis, biomarker-guided clinical trial design, and prediction of treatment outcomes.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: alpha-Fetoproteins / Architects / Biological markers / Biomarker / Biomarkers / Biomarkers, Tumor - genetics / Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedicine / Cancer therapies / Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - pathology / Cell division / Clinical trials / Evaluation / Gene Expression / Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Genetic aspects / Glypicans - genetics / Glypicans - metabolism / HCC / Hepatitis B / Hepatitis B virus / Hepatitis C / Hepatocellular carcinoma / Hepatoma / HIV / Human Genetics / Human immunodeficiency virus / Humans / Insulin-like growth factor II / Liver cancer / Liver Neoplasms - pathology / Medical prognosis / Microarrays / Mutants / Mutation / Prognosis / Reagents / Risk factors / Software / Substance abuse treatment / Success / Therapeutic targets / Tumors / Vietnam / Wnt protein