Integrating bulk and single cell sequencing data to identify prognostic biomarkers and drug candidates in HBV associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major driver of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet the mechanisms by which HBV triggers HCC and how it interacts with the immune system remain largely undefined. In this study, 53 immune-related key genes involved in HBV-associated HCC progression were identified. By analyzing the mean C-index of 101 machine learning models, the optimal model-combining stepwise Cox regression (forward) with RSF-was developed to characterize the immune risk index. Patients in the high-risk group exhibited worse survival outcomes and increased infiltration of immunosuppressive cells. Integrating PPI analysis with machine learning, SPP1, GHR, and ESR1 emerged as promising druggable targets, with SPP1 notably overexpressed in tumors and linked to adverse outcomes. ScRNA-

SUBMITTER: Zhong Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12271374 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature