A comprehensive review and in silico analysis of the role of survivin (BIRC5) in hepatocellular carcinoma hallmarks: A step toward precision

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex malignancy driven by the dysregulation of multiple cellular pathways. Survivin, a key member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family, plays a central role in HCC tumorigenesis and progression. Despite significant research, a comprehensive understanding of the contributions of survivin to the hallmarks of cancer, its molecular network, and its potential as a therapeutic target remains incomplete. In this review, we integrated bioinformatics analysis with an extensive literature review to provide deeper insights into the role of survivin in HCC. Using bioinformatics tools such as the Human Protein Atlas, GEPIA, STRING, TIMER, and Metascape, we analyzed survivin expression and its functional associations and identified the top 20 coexpressed genes in HCC. These include TK1, SPC25, SGO2, PTTG1, PRR11, PLK1, NCAPH, KPNA2, KIF2C, KIF11, HJURP, GTSE1, FOXM1, CEP55, CENPA, CDCA3, CDC45, CCNB2, CCNB1 and CTD-2510F5.4. Our findings also revealed significant protein–protein interactions among these genes, which were enriched in pathways associated with the FOXM1 oncogenic signaling cascade, and biological processes such as cell cycle regulation, mitotic checkpoints, and diseases such as liver neoplasms.

We also discussed the involvement of survivin in key oncogenic pathways, including the PI3K/AKT, WNT/β-catenin, Hippo, and JAK/STAT3 pathways, and its role in modulating cell cycle checkpoints, apoptosis, and autophagy. Furthermore, we explored its interactions with the tumor microenvironment, particularly its impact on immune modulation through myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumor-associated macrophages, and natural killer cell function in HCC. Additionally, we highlighted its involvement in alkylglycerone phosphate synthase (AGPS)-mediated lipid reprogramming and identified important gaps in the survivin network that warrant further investigation. This review also examined the role of survivin in cancer stemness, inflammation, and virally mediated hepatocarcinogenesis. We evaluated its potential as a diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and pharmacodynamic biomarker in HCC, emphasizing its relevance in precision medicine. Finally, we summarized emerging survivin-targeted therapeutics and ongoing clinical trials, underscoring the need for novel strategies to effectively target survivin in HCC.