Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40214910›Full record

ArticleDiscover oncology2025

Identification of telomere maintenance-driven molecular subtypes in hepatocellular carcinoma: implications for prognosis and targeted therapy via KPNA2.

Zhicheng Xu, Hanyu Wang, Haixia Tian, Weijing Wang, Dong Hua

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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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1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Zhicheng XuDepartment of Oncology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu Province, China.
Hanyu WangDepartment of Oncology, The Affiliated Children's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu Province, China.
Haixia TianDepartment of Oncology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu Province, China.
Weijing WangDepartment of Oncology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu Province, China.
Dong HuaDepartment of Oncology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu Province, China. 15961807821@163.com.

Funding

Wuxi Municipal Bureau on Science and Technology WX18IVJN017
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTelomere maintenance (TM) plays a pivotal role in regulating the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is crucial for defining the clinical characteristics of patients. Despite previous publications highlighting the correlation between individual TM-related genes and HCC, comprehensive exploration and systematic analysis of these genes are still lacking.

methodsThrough the analysis of transcriptome data, we identified two distinct clusters (termed telomere maintenance-associated clusters, or TCs) that exhibited marked heterogeneity in clinical traits and the tumor microenvironment. Following this, we conducted an exhaustive screening process to select 15 prognostic genes related to telomere maintenance and developed corresponding TM scores for these genes. Additionally, we rigorously validated the expression and oncogenic functions of karyopherin subunit alpha 2 (KPNA2) in both HCC tissues and cell lines.

resultsTC1 demonstrated a significant correlation with cellular differentiation and the fatty acid metabolism pathway, while also predicting a low tumor mutation burden (TMB) alongside favorable prognostic outcomes. In contrast, TC2 was intricately linked to TM, cell cycle regulation, and DNA repair. When examining the relationship between TMB and overall survival rates. Notably, substantial heterogeneity was observed among the various TCs. Furthermore, KPNA2 exhibited upregulation and has the potential to enhance HCC proliferation and migration.

conclusionIn summary, through the integration of bioinformatics and functional experimentation, we have delineated two distinct molecular classifications predicated on their association with TM-related genes in HCC. This groundbreaking discovery holds the potential to introduce innovative concepts and novel biomarkers into clinical practice.

Indexed as

Hepatocellular carcinomaKaryopherin subunit alpha 2Telomere maintenanceTumor immune infiltration

Identifiers

PMID40214910
PMCPMC11992308

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