Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40192891›Full record

ArticleDiscover oncology2025

SEPT9 and PAI-1 are immunohistochemical biomarkers of the hepatocellular carcinoma immune microenvironment.

Eundong Park, Xin Wang, Nusret Bekir Subasi, Michel Kmeid, Paul J Higgins, Anne Chen, Hwajeong Lee

Abstract read
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Article in Discover oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Eundong ParkPathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical Center, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY, Mail Code 8112208, USA.
Xin WangPathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical Center, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY, Mail Code 8112208, USA.
Nusret Bekir SubasiPathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical Center, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY, Mail Code 8112208, USA.
Michel KmeidPathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical Center, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY, Mail Code 8112208, USA.
Paul J HigginsDepartment of Regenerative & Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA.
Anne ChenPathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical Center, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY, Mail Code 8112208, USA.
Hwajeong LeePathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical Center, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY, Mail Code 8112208, USA. LeeH5@amc.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7005-6278

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSeptin 9 (SEPT9) interacts with multiple oncogenic proteins and is expressed abnormally in several cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) promotes tumor formation and progression by modulating the tumor immune microenvironment. CXCR2+ immune cells play a crucial role in HCC formation, progression, and prognosis. The relationship between SEPT9 and PAI-1, and their impact on the HCC immune microenvironment remains unclear.

methodsExpression levels of SEPT9 and PAI-1 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in HCC and background benign liver (n = 76). Their IHC results were examined for relationships with immune cell markers (CXCR2, CD3, CD15, CD68, and CD163), clinical parameters, and survival outcomes.

resultsHigher grade HCC expressed SEPT9 and PAI-1 more frequently. SEPT9 and PAI-1 expression were associated with each other. PAI-1(+) HCCs had higher intratumoral CXCR2, CD3, CD15, CD68, and CD163 expression compared to PAI-1(-) HCCs, while SEPT9 expression correlated with greater CXCR2+ and CD15+ cell counts in tumor. SEPT9(+) HCC patients had shorter OS, although SEPT9 was not an independent prognostic factor.

conclusionSEPT9 is associated with PAI-1, a pro-tumorigenic protein. Both SEPT9 and PAI-1 are linked to advanced HCC grades. SEPT9 and PAI-1 positive HCCs have distinct CXCR2+ immune cell landscapes. Further investigation is needed to elucidate a possible SEPT9/PAI-1 interaction and the clinical utility of SEPT9 IHC in HCC.

Indexed as

CXCR2HCCPAI-1SEPT9Tumor microenvironment

Identifiers

PMID40192891
PMCPMC11977054

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