Nomogram based on CMTM6 expression and clinical characteristics to predict postoperative overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Background. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of CMTM6 in HCC tissues and its prognostic value, and to try to develop a nomogram prognostic model based on CMTM6. Methods. In this retrospective study, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed in 178 patients who underwent radical hepatectomy in the same surgical team. R software was used to construct the nomogram model. The Bootstrap sampling method was used for internal validation. Results. CMTM6 is significantly expressed in HCC tissues and is closely associated with decreased overall survival (OS). PVTT (HR=6.2, 95% CI: 3.06 12.6, P<0.001), CMTM6 (HR=2.30, 95% CI: 1.27 4.0, P=0.006) and MVI (HR=10.8, 95% CI: 4.19-27.6, P<0.001) were independent predictors of OS. The nomogram combined with CMTM6, PVTT and MVI was more predictive than the traditional TNM scoring system, and the prediction effects of 1-year and 3-year OS were accurate. Conclusions. The prognosis of a patient may be predicted using high levels of CMTM6 expression in HCC tissues, and the nomogram model including CMTM6 expression has the best predictive ability.