HNRNPC as a pan-cancer biomarker and therapeutic target involved in tumor progression and immune regulation
YUEZHOU ZHANG1,#, ZHAO ZHANG2,#, JINXIN DONG1, CHANGAN LIU1,*
1 Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
2 Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
* Address correspondence to: Changan Liu,
liuchangan@hospital.cqmu.edu.cn
#
These two authors contributed equally to this work
Oncology Research https://doi.org/10.32604/or.2024.055866
Received 09 July 2024; Accepted 23 October 2024; Published online 20 November 2024
Abstract
Background: Aberrant expression of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) has been linked to a variety of diseases,
including hematological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and multiple types of cancer. Heterogeneous nuclear
ribonucleoprotein C (HNRNPC), a member belonging to the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP)
family, plays a pivotal role in nucleic acid metabolism. Previous studies have underscored the significance of
HNRNPC in tumorigenesis; however, its specific role in malignant tumor progression remains inadequately
characterized.
Methods: We leveraged publicly available databases, including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), to
explore the potential involvement of HNRNPC across various cancers. Additionally, we performed experimental
validation studies focused on liver cancer.
Results: Our analysis revealed that HNRNPC is overexpressed in a wide
range of common malignancies, including liver and lung cancers, and is strongly linked to unfavorable outcomes.
Furthermore, HNRNPC was observed to be closely linked to tumor immunity. Through immune checkpoint analysis
and immune cell infiltration assessment, HNRNPC emerged as a potential target for modulating tumor
immunotherapy. Notably, silencing of HNRNPC markedly inhibited the proliferation, metastasis, and infiltration of
liver cancer cells.
Conclusion: In summary, our findings highlight HNRNPC as a prognostic marker in various
cancers, including liver cancer, and suggest its involvement in shaping the tumor immune microenvironment. These
insights offer potential avenues for improving clinical outcomes in tumors with elevated HNRNPC expression,
particularly through immunotherapeutic strategies.
Graphical Abstract
Keywords
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C (HNRNPC), Pan-cancer analysis, Tumor immunity, Prognostic biomarker, Immunotherapeutic target, Hepatocellular carcinoma
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