LAUSR

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis (1,2). Although there exists a comprehensive diagnostic strategy that has been widely applied in the clinical setting, the early diagnosis of HCC is still a challenge (3,4). Also, there is currently no marker for the prognostic assessment of HCC. Thus, there is an urgent need to find a reliable marker for the early diagnosis and prognostic assessment for HCC. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)like receptors (NLRs) are intracellular sensors of molecules associated with pathogens, which can trigger a hypersensitive response once a pathogen is detected (5,6). As a component of inflammasome, NLRs are involved in dysregulated inflammation and the initiation and progression of cancers (7,8). As a member of the NLR family, NLR family CARD domain containing 5 (NLRC5) can effectively regulate the body’s immune response by negatively regulating the nuclear factor-kappa B subunit (NF-κB) and interferon (IFN) pathways (9). Additionally, enhanced NLRC5 Original Article