Diagnosis and prognosis models for hepatocellular carcinoma patient’s management based on tumor mutation burden

Graphical abstract
Introduction The development and prognosis of HCC involve complex molecular mechanisms, which affect the effectiveness of its treatment strategies. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) is related to the efficacy of immunotherapy, but the prognostic role of TMB-related genes in HCC has not yet been determined clearly. Objectives In this study, we identified TMB-specific genes with good prognostic value to build diagnostic and prognostic models and provide guidance for the treatment of HCC patients. Methods Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was applied to identify the TMB-specific genes. And LASSO method and Cox regression were used in establishing the prognostic model. Results The prognostic model based on SMG5 and MRPL9 showed patients with higher prognostic risk had a remarkedly poorer survival probability than their counterparts with lower prognostic risk in both a TCGA cohort (P