Proteomic characteristics of mesenchymal subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma

Clinical heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) reflected in unequal outcome of treatment is poorly defined in molecular level, and molecular subtypes and their associated biomarkers have not been established to improve prognostification and treatment of HCC. Using reverse phase protein arrays (RPPA) technologies, we analyzed protein expression profiling data from HCC patients, uncovered mesenchymal subtype, and identified gene expression signature associated with mesenchymal phenotype of HCC. We generated proteomic data from tumors of 113 HCC tumors and matched surrounding liver tissues from patients who underwent surgical resection as primary treatment