ANXA10 is a prognostic biomarker and suppressor of hepatocellular carcinoma: a bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation

Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is one of the main cancers worldwide and has high morbidity and mortality rates. Although previous studies have shown that ANXA10 is expressed at low levels in LIHC tumor tissues, the biological function of ANXA10 in LIHC is still unclear. Therefore, we utilized TCGA, TIMER, GEPIA2, TISIDB, LinkedOmics, ssGSEA algorithms and CIBERSORT methodology to preliminarily evaluate the potential mechanism of ANXA10 in LIHC. In vitro experiments were used to further verify some functions of ANXA10. Consequently, we found that ANXA10 mRNA/protein expression was downregulated in LIHC tissue compared to normal tissue. ANXA10 was significantly linked with clinicopathological features, immunocytes, multiple cancer-related pathways, m6A modification and a ceRNA network. A three-gene prognostic signature rooted in ANXA10-related immunomodulators was determined and found to be an independent prognostic predictor. A nomogram was constructed to predict survival with good accuracy. Additionally, in vitro trials revealed that ANXA10 upregulation inhibited LIHC cell proliferation and migration. This study reveals that ANXA10 may serve as a prognostic marker and promising therapeutic target in LIHC clinical practice through various biologic functions.