Gut Microbiota Plays Crucial Role in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Sichuan University have uncovered the complex relationship between gut microbiota and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. Their study, published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, reveals that gut microbiota influences gene expression in HCC and affects the immune microenvironment. The researchers developed a computational method, called the microbial-associated signature (MAS) score, to characterize the role of gut microbiota in various cancers. They identified seven microbiota-regulated prognostic genes, including RHEB, which emerged as a top unfavorable predictor of HCC recurrence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The gut microbiota plays a significant role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression by activating or inhibiting gene expression.
  • The microbial-associated signature (MAS) score, developed by the researchers, characterizes gut microbiota-induced transcriptional alterations across 33 cancer types and 29 normal tissues.
  • MAS scores exhibited cancer type-specific associations with genomic alterations and immune microenvironment features.
  • The study identified seven microbiota-regulated prognostic genes, including RHEB, which is a top unfavorable predictor of HCC recurrence.
  • Single-cell MAS quantification revealed elevated microbiota-driven gene activation in tumor tissues relative to normal counterparts.
  • Spatial transcriptomics further revealed enhanced microbe-mediated activation of key gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma metastases.
  • The research provides a comprehensive framework for quantifying microbiota-driven transcriptional activity and its clinical implications in cancer.

Statistics:

  • 33 cancer types were included in the study.
  • 29 normal tissues were analyzed in the study.
  • 7 microbiota-regulated prognostic genes were identified.
  • RHEB emerged as the top unfavorable predictor of HCC recurrence.
  • 146911 was the reference number for the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules's article.
  • 22 authors were involved in the study, including Yanjie Zhong, Jun Yu, Ximei Luo, Zhiqiang He, Siqi Yang, Ruiqi Zou, Haijie Hu, and Fuyu Li.

Sources:

  • Identification of Core gene expression alterations regulated by gut microbiota in tumor progression and immunotherapy resistance through integrative pan-cancer analysis. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025;322:146911.
  • NewsRx. Recent Findings in Cancer Described by Researchers from Sichuan University (Identification of Core gene expression alterations regulated by gut microbiota in tumor progression and immunotherapy resistance through integrative pan-cancer analysis). Immunotherapy Weekly. September 3, 2025; p 3993.
  • Sichuan University. Division of Biliary Surgery, Dept. of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.