Table 2 Main molecular alterations in HCC according to molecular subtypes adapted from the Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network [40]
Molecular subtype | Genetic features | Epigenetic features | Other characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
iCluster 1 36% | Few CTNNB1 mutations Low expression of TERT Overexpression of proliferation markers | microRNA signature mir-122 silencing High expression of miR-181A | Young age Asian patients Female patients Normal Weight High grade Poor prognosis |
iCluster 2 30% | High expression of TERT High expression of CTNNB1 HNF1A mutations | CDKN2A silencing | Low grade Low microvascular invasion |
iCluster 3 34% | Chromosomal instability 17p loss TP53 mutations High activation of CTNNB1 High expression of TERT Activation of VEGF-A pathway PTEN inactivation | CDKN2A silencing CPG Island hypomethylation | – |
Frequencies of most prevalent alterations in the whole cohort | TERT mutations 44% TP53 mutations 31% CTNNB1 mutations 27% CDKN2A deletion 13% APOB mutations 10% AXIN1 mutations 8% ARID1A mutations 7% | CDKN2A silencing 54% | – |