The Prognostic and Therapeutic Roles of ARL-6 Gene in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent human cancers. , a member of the ADP ribosylation factor (like) () protein family, has gained attention as a potential therapeutic target in various malignancies and a prognostic biomarker. However, its specific roles in HCC, both prognostically and biochemically, remain largely unclear. To examine the functional relevance of in HCC, we acquired data from GEPIA, UALCAN, TIMER, TCGA, GeneMANIA, and Metascape databases. Then, we conducted immunohistochemistry on a replication sample comprising 26 HCC specimens to assess the efficacy of the gene. To unravel the mechanistic intricacies, we employed diverse assays such as the cell counting kit 8 (CCK8), flow cytometry, and transwell invasion assessment. Our findings demonstrated the mRNA expression of was significantly upregulated in HCC compared to normal tissue, as evidenced by comprehensive database analysis. Immunohistochemistry further revealed that expression was remarkably higher in HCC than in para-carcinoma tissues. Moreover, expression exhibited noteworthy variations across diverse LIHC characteristics, including sample type, histological subtype, mutation status, nodal metastatic status, and cancer stage. In addition, high transcriptional levels of were correlated with diminished overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in HCC patients. Furthermore, our study indicated positive correlations between expression levels and the activities of tumor-infiltrating immune cells such as B cells, myeloid dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, CD8+T cells, and CD4+T cells. Substantiating our findings, database analysis uncovered additional evidence of gene co-expression and its functional significance in HCC cases. Finally, we demonstrated the involvement of the gene in HCC cell invasion, proliferation, and apoptosis. In conclusion, our investigation sheds light on the pivotal role of in influencing HCC prognosis and treatment by modulating the biological activities of tumor cells. These discoveries hold promise for the development of predictive biomarkers and novel therapeutic avenues for affected patients.