Table 1_CKAP4 and PLOD2 as novel prognostic biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma: a proteomics-driven risk stratification model.xlsx

BackgroundThe prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a research hotspot. This study aimed to identify novel prognostic protein markers for HCC using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS) and develop an integrative predictive model to enhance clinical decision-making and patient stratification.
MethodsDIA-MS were implemented to identify valuable prognostic HCC biomarkers in 31 patients with different prognoses. A prognostic model was developed and validated using immunohistochemistry (IHC).
ResultsCytoskeleton-associated membrane protein 4 (CKAP4) and procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 (PLOD2) were identified as key prognostic proteins, with higher expression levels associated with poor prognosis. Immunohistochemical validation confirmed the prognostic value of CKAP4 and PLOD2. A nomogram incorporating AJCC stage and the combination of CKAP4 and PLOD2 demonstrated superior predictive Sability for overall survival (OS) compared to individual indicators. The model predicted an outcome with a concordance index (C-index) of 0.738 (95% CI, 0.698–0.779) and significantly stratified patients into distinct risk groups (P < 0.001).
ConclusionIn conclusion, this study identified CKAP4 and PLOD2 as novel prognostic protein markers for HCC. The developed nomogram, integrating these molecular markers with AJCC stage, shows promise in predicting OS and stratifying risk in HCC patients.

背景 肝细胞癌（hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC）患者的预后情况是当前研究热点。本研究旨在借助数据非依赖采集质谱（data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry, DIA-MS）技术筛选肝细胞癌新型预后蛋白标志物，并构建整合预测模型以优化临床决策与患者分层。

方法 本研究纳入31例预后特征各异的肝细胞癌患者，采用DIA-MS技术筛选具有预后价值的肝细胞癌生物标志物。通过免疫组化（immunohistochemistry, IHC）方法构建并验证该预后模型。

结果 本研究鉴定出细胞骨架相关膜蛋白4（cytoskeleton-associated membrane protein 4, CKAP4）与前胶原-赖氨酸,2-氧戊二酸5-双加氧酶2（procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2, PLOD2）作为关键预后蛋白，其高表达与不良预后显著相关。免疫组化验证证实了CKAP4与PLOD2的预后价值。整合AJCC分期与CKAP4、PLOD2联合表达的列线图（nomogram）相较于单一指标，对总生存期（overall survival, OS）展现出更优异的预测稳定性。该模型的一致性指数（concordance index, C-index）为0.738（95%置信区间CI：0.698~0.779），可将患者显著区分为不同风险亚组（P < 0.001）。

结论 综上，本研究鉴定出CKAP4与PLOD2作为肝细胞癌新型预后蛋白标志物。本研究构建的整合AJCC分期与上述分子标志物的列线图，在预测肝细胞癌患者总生存期与风险分层方面具有良好应用前景。