AUTHOR=Wang Li-ting , Zeng Qiu-ling , Jiang Shao-lan , Chen Zhen-yu , Wang Xiao-ling , Li Ling , Li Xiaolong 

TITLE=Ficolin-2: A potential immune-related therapeutic target with low expression in liver cancer

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.987481

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2022.987481

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Objective</title><p>This study aimed to investigate the role of ficolin-2 (<italic>FCN2</italic>) in the development and course of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to contribute to the evolution of innovative HCC therapeutics.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Oncomine, GEPIA (Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis), TISIDB (Tumor Immune System Interactions and Drug Bank database), UALCAN (University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer data analysis portal), UCSC (University of California, Santa Cruz), R package, the Kaplan–Meier technique, Cox regression analysis, LinkedOmics, Pearson’s correlation, and a nomogram were used to investigate the prognostic value of <italic>FCN2</italic> in HCC. Co-expressed genes were screened. A protein–protein interaction network was created using the STRING database. Finally, immunohistochemistry was performed to establish the expression of <italic>FCN2</italic> in HCC tissues. A pan-cancer study centered on HCC-related molecular analysis was also conducted to look for a link between <italic>FCN2</italic> and immune infiltration, immune modulators, and chemokine receptors.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>In HCC tissues, the expression of <italic>FCN2</italic> was observed to be lower than that in normal tissues. This was connected to the HCC marker alpha-fetoprotein, showing that <italic>FCN2</italic> is involved in the development and progression of cancer. <italic>FCN2</italic> may act through <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> infection, lectins, and other pathways. Furthermore, at the immune level, the expression of <italic>FCN2</italic> in HCC was associated with some immune cell infiltration, immunomodulators, and chemokine receptors.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p><italic>FCN2</italic> may be an immune checkpoint inhibitor for HCC, creating a breakthrough in the treatment of HCC.</p></sec>