Development and validation a novel copper death and SARS-CoV-2-associated genes prognostic model in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract Copper death is a newly identified unique form of regulated apoptosis. Studies suggest that it may be the mode of apoptosis in cancer cells. Therefore, copper death-related genes may become therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma. Also, SARS-CoV-2 is currently the most widely spread virus in the world with no curative drug available. Liver cancer is the most common fatal malignancy in the world. By the time a patient presents to the clinic, liver cancer has progressed to an advanced stage and the prognosis is often poor. In this study, the prognosis of patients with liver cancer when they get SARS-CoV-2 was predicted by examining the relationship between SARS-CoV-2, copper death and liver cancer.