Comprehensive analysis of ESR1-related ceRNA axis as a novel prognostic biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Aims: To further understand, detect and treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), it is urgent to conduct more in-depth research on the mechanism of sex-associated differences. Materials & methods: We established a ceRNA triple regulatory axis associated with ESR1 in HCC and performed expression, survival and nuclear–cytoplasmic localization analyses. In addition to this, we performed methylation analysis and immune infiltration analysis of the ceRNA axis. Results: We constructed the LINC01018/hsa-miR-197-3p/GNA14 (lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA) ceRNA axis to further explain the mechanism of sex-related prognosis in the development of HCC and to provide new insights into candidate biomarkers for targeted therapies. Conclusion: Our study is an innovative attempt at demonstrating the mechanism underlying the prognosis associated with sex differences in HCC by constructing a ceRNA axis (LINC01018/hsa-miR-197-3p/GNA14).

Graphical abstract

Keywords::

• ceRNA axis
• ESR1
• HCC
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• immune infiltration
• methylation analysis
• prognosis

Supplementary data

To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper please visit the journal website at: www.tandfonline.com/doi/suppl/10.2217/epi-2022-0291

Author contributions

X Wang conceived and designed the study. H Luo was responsible for data collection and bioinformatics analysis. Q Jiang was responsible for preparation of the figures and tables. Y Yu, Y Luo, M Yang and C Yu were involved in analyzing the data. All authors were involved in drafting/revising the manuscript and approved the final manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82274605). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82274605). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.