PURPOSE

Anoikis resistance is an important inducer of tumor metastasis. The role of anoikis-related genes (ARGs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear.

METHODS

A list of ARGs was obtained and regression analysis was employed to assemble an anoikis-related prognostic signature and risk score formula from mRNA data and clinical prognostic data downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed on clinical samples to validate the selected ARGs expressions. Kaplan‒Meier curves, ROC curves, and Cox regression analyses were used to demonstrated the prognostic value of this signature. Biological functional enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis were utilized to analyze the differences in potential biological functions, immune cell infiltration, immune functions, and immunotherapeutic responses.

RESULTS

A prognostic signature based on 6 ARGs and corresponding prognostic nomogram were established. Our qRT-PCR results showed a higher expression of 6 ARGs in HCC tissues (p value < 0.05). Kaplan‒Meier curves, ROC curves, and Cox regression analyses demonstrated good prognostic value of the signature in HCC (p value < 0.05). Significant differences between the enriched biological functions and immune landscapes of patients in different risk groups were discovered (p value < 0.05). In addition, patients with higher risk scores possibly had poor therapeutic response to transhepatic arterial chemotherapy and embolization or sorafenib, but their responses to immunotherapy might be more effective.

CONCLUSION

A successful anoikis-related prognostic signature and corresponding clinical nomogram were established, which might facilitate better predictions of prognosis and therapeutic responses for HCC patients.