Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) overexpression as an oncogenic driver and prognostic marker for unfavorable outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A significant challenge in improving outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients is the scarcity of reliable prognostic markers and predictive tools. Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) has shown potential as an oncogenic driver in various cancers, but its role in HCC is largely unexplored.

Methods

CSPG4 expression was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas data and two independent cohorts of HCC patients who underwent curative-intent hepatectomy (n = 153 and n = 112). Immunohistochemistry was used to assess CSPG4 expression. The optimal cutoff value for CSPG4 H-score was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis combined with the Youden index. Survival curves were plotted via the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences in s

SUBMITTER: Ren C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12776993 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature