Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim was to analyse the diagnostic value of transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein (TGF I) and S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to explore further the effects of TGF I and S100A4 on ferroptosis in HCC cells. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 76 patients with HCC admitted to our hospital from October 2022 to June 2023 and detected the differences in the expression of TGF I and S100A4 in cancerous tissues and paracancerous tissues to analyse their diagnostic and prognostic assessment value for HCC. Additionally, the HCC cell line HepG2 was purchased and transfected with TGF I and S100A4 abnormal expression plasmids to check changes in cell viability, oxidative stress damage, mitochondrial damage, and ferroptosis. RESULTS: TGF I and S100A4 were upregulated in HCC tissues (P<0.05), and their combined detection exhibited excellent diagnostic effects for HCC. The levels of TGF I and S100A4 in patients who died prognostically were higher than those in surviving patients (P<0.05). An increase in the levels of TGF I and S100A4 indicates an elevated risk of prognostic death in patients. Upregulating TGF I and S100A4 expression in cell experiments activated HepG2 activity, inhibited apoptosis, mitochondrial and oxidative stress damage, and improved cell ferroptosis. CONCLUSIONS: TGF I and S100A4 are elevated in HCC and can potentially be clinical diagnostic indicators of HCC.