Pathway analysis provides insight into the genetic susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma and insight into immuno-therapy treatment response

Clear evidence exists for genetic susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Genome-wide association studies have identified multiple candidate susceptibility loci. These loci suggest that genetic variation in the immune system may underpin HCC susceptibility. Genes for the antigen processing and presentation pathway have been observed to be significantly enriched across studies and the pathway is identified directly through genome-wide studies of variation using pathway methods. Detailed analysis of the pathway indicates both variation in the antigen presenting loci and in the antigen processing are different in cases in controls. Pathway analysis at the transcriptional level also shows difference between normal liver and liver in individuals with HCC. Assessing differences in the pathway may prove important in improving immune therapy for HCC and in identifying responders for immune checkpoint therapy.