High expression of RRM2 mediated by non-coding RNAs correlates with poor prognosis and tumor immune infiltration of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is known to have a poor prognosis. Accumulating evidence indicates that RRM2 plays a critical role in the occurrence and progression of multiple human cancers. However, the knowledge about RRM2 in HCC is still insufficient, and further research is needed. Here, we first analyzed the expression and prognosis of RRM2 using TCGA and GTEx data, and found that RRM2 may play a potential carcinogenic role in HCC. Then, through a series of comprehensive analysis, including expression analysis, correlation analysis or survival analysis, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that regulate RRM2 overexpression were identified. Finally, MIR4435-2HG/CYTOR were observed to be the most promising upstream lncRNAs for the miR-125b-5p/RRM2 axis in HCC. In addition, RRM2 expression was significantly positively related to immune cell infiltration, immune cell biomarker or immune checkpoint expression in HCC. Altogether, the upregulation of RRM2 mediated by ncRNAs correlates with poor prognosis and tumor immune infiltration of HCC.