Liver-specific propanoate metabolism-derived 2-ethylhexanol as a novel biomarker for precise diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Alterations in propanoate metabolism are increasingly recognized as significant biomarkers for various liver disorders, notably hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To enhance diagnostic specificity for HCC, we conducted integrated binary omics and targeted metabolomics analyses, identifying liver-specific propanoate metabolism (LPM) gene signatures and associated metabolites. Leveraging data from 40 tissues and 81 cell subclasses, hepatocytes showed the highest metabolic specificity. Clinical validation using the TCGA-LIHC cohort highlighted LPM genes, notably ALDH2 and ABAT, as robust prognostic markers significantly associated with poor survival outcomes. Serum metabolomic profiling of 273 patients demonstrated that elevated toluene and xylene isomers and significantly reduced 2-ethylhexanol

SUBMITTER: Lee D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12539108 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature