AUTHOR=Sun Chenyu , Ma Shaodi , Chen Yue , Kim Na Hyun , Kailas Sujatha , Wang Yichen , Gu Wenchao , Chen Yisheng , Tuason John Pocholo W. , Bhan Chandur , Manem Nikitha , Huang Yuting , Cheng Ce , Zhou Zhen , Zhou Qin , Zhu Yanzhe 

TITLE=Diagnostic Value, Prognostic Value, and Immune Infiltration of LOX Family Members in Liver Cancer: Bioinformatic Analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.843880

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2022.843880

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p>Liver cancer (LC) is well known for its prevalence as well as its poor prognosis. The aberrant expression of lysyl oxidase (<italic>LOX</italic>) family is associated with liver cancer, but their function and prognostic value in LC remain largely unclear. This study aimed to explore the function and prognostic value of LOX family in LC through bioinformatics analysis and meta-analysis.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>The expression levels of all <italic>LOX</italic> family members were significantly increased in LC. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of <italic>LOXL2</italic> was 0.946 with positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.994. <italic>LOX</italic> and <italic>LOXL3</italic> were correlated with worse prognosis. Meta-analysis also validated effect of <italic>LOX</italic> on prognosis. Nomogram of these two genes and other predictors was also plotted. There was insufficient data from original studies to conduct meta-analysis on <italic>LOXL3</italic>. The functions of <italic>LOX</italic> family members in LC were mostly involved in extracellular and functions and structures. The expressions of <italic>LOX</italic> family members strongly correlated with various immune infiltrating cells and immunomodulators in LC.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p>For LC patients, <italic>LOXL2</italic> may be a potential diagnostic biomarker, while <italic>LOX</italic> and <italic>LOXL3</italic> have potential prognostic and therapeutic values. Positive correlation between <italic>LOX</italic> family and infiltration of various immune cells and immunomodulators suggests the need for exploration of their roles in the tumor microenvironment and for potential immunotherapeutic to target <italic>LOX</italic> family proteins.</p></sec>