as biomarker in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis B virus infection is associated with liver disease, including cancers. In this study, we assessed the power of sex-determining region Y (SRY)-related high-mobility group (HMG)-box 4() gene to predict the clinical course of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To evaluate the differential expression of and its diagnostic and prognostic potential in HCC, we analyzed the GSE14520 dataset. Stratified analysis and joint-effect analysis were done using and clinical factor. We then designed a nomogram for predicting the clinical course of HCC. Differential expression and its correlation with tumor stage as well as its diagnostic and prognostic value were analyzed on the oncomine and GEPIA websites. Gene set enrichment analysis was explored as well as candidate gene ontology and metabolic pathways modulated by in HCC. Our analysis revealed that the level of was significantly upregulated in tumor issue ( <0.001). This observation was validated through oncomine dataset and MERAV analysis (all <0.05). Diagnostic receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of suggested it has diagnostic potential in HCC (GSE14520 dataset: <0.001, area under curve (AUC) = 0.782; Oncomine: (Wurmbach dataset) = 0.002, AUC = 0.831 and (Mas dataset) <0.001, AUC = 0.947). In addition, exhibited high correlation with overall survival of HBV-associated HCC (adjusted = 0.004, hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 2.055 (1.261-3.349) and recurrence-free survival (adjusted = 0.008, HR (95% CI) = 1.721 (1.151-2.574). These observations which were verified by GEPIA analysis for overall survival ( = 0.007) and recurrence-free survival (= 0.096). Gene enrichment analysis revealed that affected processes included lymphocyte differentiation, pancreatic endocrine pathways, and insulin signaling pathway. prognostic value was evaluated using nomogram analysis for HCC 1, 3, and 5-year, survival. Differential expression presents an avenue of diagnosing and predicting clinical course of HCC. In HCC, may affect TP53 metabolic processes, lymphocyte differentiation and the insulin signaling pathway.