Identification of VRK1 as a Novel Potential Biomarker for Prognosis and Immunotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

{"sci_version": "1.2", "schema": "https://corpus.bntrg.co.uk/sci/1.0/sci.schema.json", "id": "pmid:38504696", "kind": "science-record", "revision": 4, "content_hash": "sha256:0d636b429a50b45cca3a6dd4e0bf2cbbefa582beb6ef725f6caf6a2818d19d23", "created_at": "2026-11-01T19:20:26Z", "updated_at": "2026-11-01T22:53:54Z", "generator": {"name": "corpus-assay-engine", "run_id": "reading-sci-2026-11-01"}, "paper": {"state": "complete", "title": "Identification of VRK1 as a Novel Potential Biomarker for Prognosis and Immunotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.", "doi": "10.2147/JIR.S452505", "pmid": "38504696", "authors": ["Xiaoyan He", "Guozhen Zai", "Lidan Zhou", "Shengyang Chen", "Guizhi Wang"], "journal": "Journal of inflammation research", "year": 2024, "abstract": "Background: Research has indicated that VRK1 is essential for the tumor cell cycle. However, its prognostic and immunotherapeutic predictive significance has not been documented in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).\nMethods: The TCGA, ICGC, and GSE14520 datasets were used to investigate VRK1 expression and its predictive significance of survival outcomes. The qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to confirm the findings. The immunotherapeutic response of VRK1 was anticipated by the IMvigor210 cohort. Lastly, the association between immune infiltration, m6A modification, and functional enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was investigated in connection to VRK1 expression.\nResults: VRK1 expression was markedly elevated on both the mRNA and protein levels in HCC. In HCC patients, a high expression of VRK1 was linked to a poor prognosis. Furthermore, there was a substantial positive correlation seen between increased VRK1 expression and the response rate to anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy. Relationships between VRK1 and m6A-related genes as well as different immune cells were shown by correlation studies. Lastly, enrichment analysis revealed a tight relationship between VRK1 and important biological functions, including DNA replication, cell cycle control, and fatty acid metabolism.\nConclusion: Our research reveals the potential of VRK1 as a novel biomarker for prognosis and immunotherapy response in HCC patients.", "claims": [{"id": "claim-method", "statement": "Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that high VRK1 expression was strongly associated with poor survival outcomes in HCC patients, and the higher the VRK1 expression, the shorter the survival time of the patients", "kind": "methodological", "target": null, "evidence": [{"asset": "source:pmid:38504696", "locator": "sections[12] \"VRK1 Was a Novel Potential Prognosis Biomarker for HCC\" paragraph 2", "quote": "Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that high VRK1 expression was strongly associated with poor survival outcomes in HCC patients, and the higher the VRK1 expression, the shorter the survival time of the patients"}], "state": "complete"}, {"id": "claim-data-access", "statement": "The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study (TCGA-LIHC, ICGC-LIRI-JP, GSE14520, and IMvigor210 cohorts) are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.", "kind": "methodological", "target": null, "evidence": [{"asset": "source:pmid:38504696", "locator": "sections[22] \"Data Sharing Statement\" paragraph 2", "quote": "The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study (TCGA-LIHC, ICGC-LIRI-JP, GSE14520, and IMvigor210 cohorts) are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request."}], "state": "complete"}], "gaps": []}, "experiment": {"state": "complete", "objective": "", "steps": [{"id": "read_published_estimate", "order": 1, "name": "Read the published estimate from the source", "kind": "other", "state": "complete", "blocked_on": null, "description": "The claim, method and evidence span published with the source article.", "duration_hours": null, "parameters": {}, "inputs": ["source:pmid:38504696"], "outputs": ["the published estimate and its evidence"], "instruments": [], "reagents": []}, {"id": "obtain_source_data", "order": 2, "name": "Obtain the source data from the named repository", "kind": "data-preparation", "state": "complete", "blocked_on": null, "description": "The GEO series accession resolves and its sample accessions are listed. 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