Different races have different immune microenvironments: comparison of White and Asian patients with liver cancer

Different ethnic groups have different incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition to lifestyle and environmental factors, genetic susceptibility is also an important reason. In this study, we screened the immune related genes and stromal related genes in White and Asian liver cancer patients cohort of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) the using ESTIMATE algorithm. Hub genes that significantly associated with overall survival (OS) were selected from White and Asian liver cancer patients, respectively. In addition, we validated the functions of two hub genes, IL-18RAP and GPM6A, in vivo and in vitro. We confirmed different races have different tumor immune microenvironments. Immune microenvironment can influence and change the efficacy of immunotherapy for liver cancer patients.

Automated summary

Different ethnic groups have different incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to lifestyle, environmental factors, and genetic susceptibility. This study used the ESTIMATE algorithm to screen immune related genes and stromal related genes in White and Asian liver cancer patients. Hub genes significantly associated with overall survival (OS) were selected separately from White and Asian liver cancer patients. In addition, the functions of two hub genes, IL-18RAP and GPM6A, were validated in vivo and in vitro. The study confirms the presence of different tumor immune microenvironments among races, which can influence the efficacy of immunotherapy for liver cancer patients.