SIK2 activates the autophagy‒apoptosis pathway through SP1 regulation to inhibit the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the sixth most prevalent cancer globally and is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality, characterized by limited treatment options and an unfavorable prognosis. Salt-inducible kinase 2 (SIK2), a member of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) family, regulates cellular processes, including metabolism, autophagy, and apoptosis. However, its specific role in HCC remains unclear. This study assessed the clinical relevance and biological function of SIK2 in HCC via bioinformatics, immunohistochemistry (IHC), cell assays, signaling pathway analyses, and animal models. The results demonstrated that high SIK2 expression was associated with improved patient survival, modulation of the immune microenvironment, and suppression of tumor progress

SUBMITTER: Fan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12528092 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature