Anticancer researchDec 8, 2020

Methylated RNA and RNA-Modifying Enzymes as New Predictors in Removed Liver Cancer and Nearby Liver Tissue

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 1, 2026

Abstract

The expression of mA demethylases FTO and ALKBH5 is significantly lower in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than in non-cancerous tissues (both p<0.001).

Global mA quantification showed no significant difference between HCC and non-cancerous liver tissue.
Lower expression levels of the mA demethylases FTO and ALKBH5 in HCC could suggest their role in cancer development.
In non-cancerous tissues, low ALKBH5 expression is associated with worse recurrence-free survival (median of 16.3 vs. 38.9 months, p=0.001).
These findings may indicate that mA and its demethylases in surrounding non-cancerous tissues are involved in HCC malignancy after surgical resection.

Simplified

BACKGROUND/AIM: N6-Methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant internal modification of RNA, plays a critical role in cancer development. However, the clinical implications of mA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. 6

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 177 HCC and paired noncancerous liver tissues from patients who underwent hepatectomy according to global mA quantification and expression of mA demethylases fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) and alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5). 6 6

RESULTS: The global mA quantification revealed no significant difference between HCC and non-cancerous tissue. The expression of mA demethylases FTO and ALKBH5, was significantly lower in HCC than in non-cancerous tissues (both p<0.001). Furthermore, low ALKBH5 expression in non-cancerous tissues was significantly correlated with worse recurrence-free survival (median of 16.3 vs. 38.9 months, p=0.001). 6 6

CONCLUSION: mA in HCC and its demethylase in surrounding non-cancerous liver tissues might be involved in inherent mechanisms for HCC development and affect malignant potential after HCC resection. 6

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Methylated RNA and RNA-Modifying Enzymes as New Predictors in Removed Liver Cancer and Nearby Liver Tissue

Abstract

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