Identification of hub genes and potential drugs in hepatocellular carcinoma through integrated bioinformatics analysis

Abstract

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third cancer-related cause of death in the world. Until now, the involved mechanisms during the development of HCC are largely unknown. This study aims to explore the driven-genes and potential drugs in HCC. MethodsThree mRNA expression datasets were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HCC. The bioinformatics approaches include identification of DEGs and hub genes, GO terms analysis and KEGG enrichment analysis, construction of protein–protein interaction network. The expression levels of hub genes were validated based on TCGA, GEPIA and the Human Protein Atlas. Moreover, overall survival and disease-free survival analysis of the hub genes were further conducted by Kaplan-Meier plotter and the GEPIA. DGIdb database was performed to search the candidate drugs for HCC. ResultsFinally, 197 DEGs were identified. The PPI network was constructed using STRING software. Then ten genes were selected and considered as the hub genes. The ten genes were all closely related to the survival of HCC patients. DGIdb database predicted 39 small molecules as the possible drugs for treating HCC. ConclusionsOur study provides some new insights into HCC pathogenesis and treatments. The candidate drugs may improve the efficiency of HCC therapy in future.