Cancer Cell: Prediction of venous metastases, recurrence, and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma based on a unique immune response signature of the liver microenvironment
Author links open overlay panelAnuradha Budhu1, Marshonna Forgues1, Qing-HaiYe2, Hu-Liang Jia12, Ping He3, Krista A.Zanetti4, Udai S.Kammula5, Yidong Chen6, Lun-XiuQin2, Zhao-YouTang2, Xin WeiWang1
Summary
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignancy mainly due to metastases or postsurgical recurrence. We postulate that metastases are influenced by liver microenvironment. Here, we show that a unique inflammation/immune response-related signature is associated with noncancerous hepatic tissues from metastatic HCC patients. This signature is principally different from that of the tumor. A global Th1/Th2-like cytokine shift in the venous metastasis-associated liver microenvironment coincides with elevated expression of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF1). Moreover, a refined 17 gene signature was validated as a superior predictor of HCC venous metastases in an independent cohort, when compared to other clinical prognostic parameters. We suggest that a predominant humoral cytokine profile occurs in the metastatic liver milieu and that a shift toward anti-inflammatory/immune-suppressive responses may promote HCC metastases.
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