Understanding the role of Annexin A2 expression in the incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rapidly growing cancer with high mortality rates worldwide, necessitating improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Annexin A2 (AnxA2), a calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding protein and a member of the annexin protein family, holds promise as a diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic target in several cancers. This study evaluates the clinical significance of AnxA2 in HCC progression. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data was mined to assess AnxA2 mRNA expression in HCC and its correlation with tumor stage, grade, overall survival, and progression-free survival. Additionally, immunoblot analysis was conducted on tumor tissue samples to determine the AnxA2 expression in HCC patients. Results: Analysis of TCGA data revealed a significant upregulation of AnxA2 mRNA expression in HCC compared to normal liver tissues, correlating with higher pathological grades and stages and poor overall and progression-free survival. The immunoblot analysis further confirmed that the expression of AnxA2 was high in tumor tissues of HCC patients compared to matched adjacent non-tumorigenic liver tissues. Conclusion: These findings underscore the potential of AnxA2 as a biomarker for cancer aggressiveness and prognosis, highlighting its role as a promising therapeutic target.