Identification and validation of AKR1C1/2/3 as hepatocellular carcinoma risk modules via an integrated strategy

Abstract Background The human aldo-keto reductase 1 (AKR1) C family comprises four enzymes, AKR1C1–AKR1C4. Lots of studies have investigated the function of AKR1Cs in tumors, however little is known in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Public databases were used to explore expression and role of AKR1Cs in HCC. Meanwhile, data of 134 HCC patients from Firebrowse website was used for validation. Results The results revealed that AKR1Cs expression was negatively correlated with the infiltration level of CD4+ T cells. Overexpression of AKR1C1/2/3 was significantly associated with tumor stage and pathological grade. Moreover, higher mRNA expression of AKR1C1/2/3 was related with shorter overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that AKR1C1/2/3 could be significant risk factors for HCC patients. Additionally, genetic alterations of AKR1Cs can significantly affect patient OS and PFS, and expression of AKR1Cs was linked to functional networks involving oxidation-reduction process, cellular hormone metabolic process and organic hydroxy compound metabolic process, as well as retinol metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, metabolic pathway and fatty acid degradation pathways. Conclusions In conclusion, we successfully elaborated the relationship between AKR1Cs expression and immune infiltrations, and identified AKR1C1/2/3 could be novel prognostic biomarkers for HCC patients.