Identification and validation of icaritin-associated prognostic genes in hepatocellular carcinoma through network pharmacology, bioinformatics analysis, and cellular experiments.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a key global health issue, marked by poor clinical outcomes and lower survival rates. Icaritin (ICT), a bioactive compound derived from traditional Chinese medicine, has shown promising multi-target antitumor properties and potential clinical benefits in the treatment of HCC; however, its precise mechanisms of action remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, this study adopted an integrative strategy that combined bioinformatics analysis, experimental validation, and network pharmacology to systematically explore the prognostic and therapeutic relevance of ICT-associated genes.

Methods

Initially, potential targets of ICT and HCC-associated genes were identified through extensive database screening, and the overlapping candidate

SUBMITTER: Shi Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12675460 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature