The alternative splicing landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma and its potential for HCC detection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pre-mRNA alternative splicing contributes to oncogenic gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and some oncogenic isoforms escape the tumor into circulation. This study aimed to characterize the alternative splicing landscape of HCC and investigate its potential for early detection by identifying HCC-specific alternative splicing events (ASEs) in peripheral fluids.

Methods

We analyzed RNA-Seq data from 787 HCC tumor samples across 16 studies to identify commonly mis-spliced ASEs. ASEs were examined in relation to HCC etiology, progression, and functional domain changes. We then identified HCC-tumor-associated ASEs in samples isolated from various peripheral fluids, including circulating epithelial cells (CECs), tumor-educated platelets, serum, and plasm

SUBMITTER: Hershberger CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12705057 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature