Analysis of eight types of RNA modification regulators and their correlation with the prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

RNA modification plays important role in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The best characterized RNA modification is m6A, while other kinds of RNA modifications have not been fully investigated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the current study, we investigated the roles of one hundred RNA modification regulators belonging to eight different types of cancer-related RNA modifications in HCC. Expression analysis revealed that nearly 90% RNA regulators exhibited significantly higher expression in tumors than normal tissues. By consensus clustering, we identified two clusters with distinct biological characteristics, immune microenvironment, and prognostic pattern. An RNA modification score (RMScore) was constructed and stratified patients into high- and low-risk group, which showed significantly different prognosis. Moreover, a nomogram including clinicopathologic features and the RMScore could well predict the survival in HCC patients. This study indicated the important role of eight types of RNA modification in HCC and develop a RMScore, which will be a new method to forecast the prognosis of HCC patients.