Plasma protein levels and hepatocellular carcinoma: a Mendelian randomization study with drug screening implications.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant cause of cancer-related mortality, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Identifying key proteins and potential therapeutic agents is critical for improving treatment outcomes.

Methods

We employed Mendelian randomization to identify proteins associated with HCC risk and utilized drug enrichment and molecular docking analyses to discover potential therapeutic agents. The efficacy of identified drugs was evaluated in vitro using immune-tumor co-culture systems and in vivo in a murine HCC model. Single-cell expression profiling and clinical sample analyses were conducted to explore expression patterns.

Results

Our analyses identified 16 proteins linked to HCC pathogenesis. Among the therape

SUBMITTER: Xie L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12009266 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature