SAPCD2 High Expression Predicts Transarterial Chemoembolization Response and Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

This study investigated the association of suppressor of APC domain containing 2 (SAPCD2) expression with treatment response and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). This retrospective study enrolled 287 HCC patients undergoing TACE. Treatment response was categorized as complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease, or progressive disease. SAPCD2 expression in cancer tissue (CT) and normal adjacent tissue was evaluated. The predictive value was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curves, survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier method, and risk factors for death were analyzed by Cox regression. CT-SAPCD2 expression was elevated. CT-SAPCD2 expression decreased with improving treatment response following initial TACE treatment. CT-SAPCD2 expression was elevated in the non-CR group compared to the CR group (P < 0.001). CT-SAPCD2 demonstrated predictive value for CR (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.859) following initial TACE treatment and death (AUC = 0.666). Deceased patients exhibited elevated CT-SAPCD2 expression versus survivors (P < 0.001). The CT-SAPCD2H group had significantly shorter overall survival (P < 0.001). High CT-SAPCD2 expression (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.127) and advanced age (HR = 1.038) were independent risk factors for death (P < 0.01). The AUC of CT-SAPCD2 for predicting CR + PR to initial TACE treatment was 0.781. Among HCC patients responding to initial TACE treatment, high CT-SAPCD2 expression (HR = 1.093) and increasing age (HR = 1.038) remained independently associated with death (both P < 0.01). Elevated SAPCD2 expression in CT is significantly associated with inferior TACE response and reduced survival.