Investigating the microRNAs Involved in the Acute Phase of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Caused by Hepatitis C Virus

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in the world. In this study, we examined and nominated the genes present in the pathways of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with HCV using bioinformatics analysis . Method: The appropriate dataset for analysis was selected from the GEO database. This dataset included gene expression profiles in hepatocellular carcinoma associated with HCV. Gene clusters with high and low expression levels were categorized. Rich databases such as Enrichr, STRING, and GEPIA were also used. Finally, the candidate genes were isolated. Results: A total of 512 genes with high expression and 500 genes with low expression were involved in the progression pathways of hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathways associated with the cell cycle, cell adhesion, AMPK, PPAR, and MAPK were clearly observed. After evaluating the relationship between protein networks, ADH4, FBP1, and ACS1 showed increased expression, while CDK4, E2F1, and MAPK3 genes displayed decreased expression. All these genes were noted in the survival curve; over a period of about 15 months, the survival rate of patients was less than 20%. miR -21 -5p, hsa -miR -24 -3p, and hsa -miR -25 -3p were significantly more effective in regulating these genes . Conclusion: Bioinformatics analyses of key and important genes were introduced through the examination of gene expression profile data. ADH4, FBP1, and ACS1 genes showed increased expression, whereas the CDK4, E2F1, and MAPK3 genes displayed decreased expression, which may play an important role in targeting the genes involved in hepatocellular carcinoma associated with HCV.