Fig. 1: High expression of APOA2 is highly correlated with resistance to AAD therapy in HCC.

a MRI images, changes in AFP, and quantification of tumor volume in representative HCC-resistant patients before and after apatinib treatment. Scale bars, 10 cm. b MRI images, changes in AFP, and quantification of tumor thrombus volume in representative HCC-sensitive patients before and after apatinib treatment. Scale bars, 10 cm. c The GO pathway analysis of differential genes was enriched, with APOA2 ranking first in the small molecule metabolic process. d The KEGG pathway analysis of differential genes was enriched, with APOA2 ranking first in the PPAR signaling pathway. e Intensity of APOA2 IHC staining in 10 paired HCC patient tissues (sensitive vs resistant). Scale bars, 50 µm. f Predicted network diagram of the interactions between APOA2 and VEGFR2.