Aging-related features predict prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

The aging microenvironment serves important roles in cancers. However, most studies focus on circumscribed hot spots such as immunity and metabolism. Thus, it is well ignored that the aging microenvironment contributes to the proliferation of tumor. Herein, we established three prognosis-distinctive aging microenvironment subtypes, including AME1, AME2, and AME3, based on aging-related genes and characterized them with “Immune Exclusion,” “Immune Infiltration,” and “Immune Intermediate” features separately. AME2-subtype tumors were characterized by specific activation of immune cells and were most likely to be sensitive to immunotherapy. AME1-subtype tumors were characterized by inhibition of immune cells with high proportion of Catenin Beta 1 (CTNNB1) mutation, which was more likely to be insensitive to immunotherapy. Furthermore, we found that CTNNB1 may inhibit the expression of C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 19 (CCL19), thus restraining immune cells and attenuating the sensitivity to immunotherapy. Finally, we also established a robust aging prognostic model to predict the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Overall, this research promotes a comprehensive understanding about the aging microenvironment and immunity in hepatocellular carcinoma and may provide potential therapeutic targets for immunotherapy.