多不饱和脂肪酸ω-3和ω-6对胃癌侵袭影响的研究

目的:探讨不饱和脂肪酸ω-3、ω-6及中间代谢产物(PEG2、PEG3)对胃癌细胞侵袭势能的影响,分析ω-3和ω-6对胃癌转移的分子生物学机制.方法:RT-PCR检测COX-1和COX-2在胃癌细胞中的表达水平;细胞侵袭实验分别检测ω-3、ω-6、PFG2和PEG3对胃癌细胞侵袭势能.结果:COX-2只表达于MKN74和MKN45细胞株中,而COX-1在4种胃癌细胞株中均有表达.在COX-2阳性表达的胃癌细胞株中,ω-6(AA)及PEG2能明显强化胃癌细胞的侵袭能力;ω-3(EPA)及PEG3能抑制胃癌细胞的侵袭.在COX-2阴性表达的胃癌细胞株中,ω-6(AA)及PEG2则对胃癌的侵袭能力无明显影响;ω-3 (EPA)及PEG3则能明显抑制胃癌细胞的侵袭.COX-2阳性细胞株中抑制COX-2活性后,ω-6 (AA)+ PEG2对胃癌细胞的侵袭能力无明显改变.结论:ω-6不饱和脂肪酸能够强化胃癌细胞的侵袭能力;ω-3不饱和脂肪酸能明显抑制胃癌细胞的侵袭能力;ω-6不饱和脂肪酸与COX-2结合后生成PGE2强化胃癌细胞的侵袭能力;ω-3和COX-1结合后生成PGE3抑制胃癌细胞的侵袭能力.     

Effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids on castration-resistant Pten-null prostate cancer

A common treatment of advanced prostate cancer involves the deprivation of androgens. Despite the initial response to hormonal therapy, eventually all the patients relapse. In the present study, we sought to determine whether dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) affects the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Cell culture, patient tissue microarray, allograft, xenograft, prostate-specific Pten knockout and omega-3 desaturase transgenic mouse models in conjunction with dietary manipulation, gene knockdown and knockout approaches were used to determine the effect of dietary PUFA on castration-resistant Pten-null prostate cancer. We found that deletion of Pten increased androgen receptor (AR) expression and Pten-null prostate cells were castration resistant. Omega-3 PUFA slowed down the growth of castration-resistant tumors as compared with omega-6 PUFA. Omega-3 PUFA decreased AR protein to a similar extent in tumor cell cytosolic and nuclear fractions but had no effect on AR messenger RNA level. Omega-3 PUFA treatment appeared to accelerate AR protein degradation, which could be blocked by proteasome inhibitor MG132. Knockdown of AR significantly slowed down prostate cancer cell proliferation in the absence of androgens. Our data suggest that omega-3 PUFA inhibits castration-resistant prostate cancer in part by accelerating proteasome-dependent degradation of the AR protein. Dietary omega-3 PUFA supplementation in conjunction with androgen ablation may significantly delay the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer in patients compared with androgen ablation alone.     

In vivo kinetics of thymidylate synthetase inhibition of 5-fluorouracil-sensitive and -resistant murine colon adenocarcinomas

The predictive utility of several biochemical parameters of 5-fluorouracil (5-FUra) action was evaluated in four murine colonic adenocarcinomas: 5-FUra-sensitive Tumor 38 and 5-FUra-resistant Tumors 07/A, 51 and 06/A. Thymidylate synthetase (TS) was determined by a tritiated 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate (FdUMP)-binding assay. Bolus 5-FUra (80 mg/kg, i.p.) administrated caused in all tumors a rapid decrease in free TS levels. Only Tumor 38, however, showed inhibition of TS to undetectable (less than 0.05 pmol/g) levels, which lasted up to 6 hr after treatment; correction for dissociation of endogenous TS: FdUMP:folate ternary complex during the TS assay was required. Total TS (free enzyme plus ternary complex) was determined with experimental conditions that achieved quantitative recovery of free TS from ternary complex. By 48 hr after 5-FUra, Tumor 38 showed a decrease in total TS proportional to the estimated log kill/dose of 5-FUra; in contrast, the resistant tumors showed no such decrease from pretreatment levels. Assay of FdUMP showed that the free nucleotide was formed rapidly in all tumors in excess over available TS-binding sites. However, tumor sensitivity did not correlate with peak or residual FdUMP levels or with deoxyuridylate levels, which were low and remained so in all tumors. Tumor sensitivity to 5-FUra also could not be explained by the small differences among the tumors in total perchloric acid-soluble metabolites of 5-FUra or drug incorporation into RNA. We conclude from these data that levels of free TS in the tumor after 5-FUra treatment are predictive of chemotherapeutic response in these murine models of human colonic adenocarcinoma.     

Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid and other fatty acids on the growth in vitro of human pancreatic cancer cell lines.

A number of polyunsaturated fatty acids have been shown to inhibit the growth of malignant cells in vitro. To investigate whether fatty acids modify the growth of human pancreatic cancer, lauric, stearic, palmitic, oleic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic, gamma-linolenic, arachidonic, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids were each incubated with the cells lines MIA PaCa-2, PANC-1 and CFPAC at concentrations ranging from 1.25 microM to 50 microM and the effect of each fatty acid on cell growth was examined. All the polyunsaturated fatty acids tested had an inhibitory effect, with EPA being the most potent (ID50 2.5-5 microM). Monounsaturated or saturated fatty acids were not inhibitory. The action of EPA could be reversed with the anti-oxidant vitamin E acetate or with oleic acid. The cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors indomethacin and piroxicam had no effect on the action of EPA. The action of EPA appeared to be associated with the generation of lipid peroxides, although the level of lipid peroxidation did not always appear to correlate directly with the extent of cell death. The ability of certain fatty acids to inhibit significantly the growth of three human pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro at concentrations which could be achieved in vivo suggests that administration of such fatty acids may be of therapeutic benefit in patients with pancreatic cancer.     

Marine polyunsaturated fatty acids and cancer therapy

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) derived from marine sources, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are widely consumed as supplements within the community. However, the use of marine PUFAs in a therapeutic context is also increasing in patients receiving treatment for a range of cancer types. On balance, the literature suggests that marine PUFAs have potential as an effective adjuvant to chemotherapy treatment, may have direct anticancer effects, and may help ameliorate some of the secondary complications associated with cancer. Although a range of doses have been trialled, it would appear that supplementation of fish oil (>3 g per day) or EPA/DHA (>1 g EPA and >0.8 g DHA per day) is associated with positive clinical outcomes. However, further research is still required to determine the mechanisms via which marine PUFAs are mediating their effects. This review summarises our current understanding of marine PUFAs and cancer therapy.     

PC-SPES inhibits colon cancer growth in vitro and in vivo

PC-SPES is a mixture of eight herbs with antiproliferative activity in prostate cancer cell lines and antitumor effects in animal models of prostate cancer. In addition, evidence of clinical efficacy in advanced prostate cancer has been reported. PC-SPES has also been shown to have antitumor activity against several other cancer cell lines including breast and neuroepithelial cancer, melanoma, and leukemia cell lines. Because of these findings, we investigated the effects of PC-SPES in vitro in colon cancer cell lines SW480, SW620, and DLD-1 and in vivo in the Apc(min) mouse, a murine model for intestinal carcinogenesis. For the in vitro studies, colon cancer cell lines were exposed to an ethanolic extract of PC-SPES compared with a diluent control [ethanol < or = 0.3% (v/v)]. PC-SPES resulted in a marked suppression of cell proliferation in all colon cancer cells studied. PC-SPES (3 micro l/ml) caused a 95% inhibition of cell proliferation of the DLD-1 colon cancer cell line, and similar results were observed in the SW480 and SW620 colon cancer cell lines. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated a drastic (> or =60%) accumulation of cells in the G(2)-M phase with a concomitant decrease of cells in the G(0)-G(1) phase in all colon cancer cell lines studied after treatment with PC-SPES (1.5 micro l/ml for 48 h). Western blot analysis demonstrated a decrease in protein levels of beta-tubulin in the SW620 cell line exposed to PC-SPES. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling analysis revealed an increase in apoptotic colon cancer cells incubated with PC-SPES. For the in vivo studies, female 4-5-week-old Apc(min) mice were randomized to two groups: a PC-SPES-treated group (n = 11) received 250 mg/kg/day (0.2 ml) PC-SPES via gastrointestinal gavage; and a control group (n = 10) received 0.2 ml of the vehicle solution (1.5% carboxymethylcellulose with 0.2% Tween 20) via gastrointestinal gavage. Both groups were treated five times a week for 10 weeks. After treatment, the gastrointestinal tract was dissected for polyp scoring by two observers blinded to treatment. The Apc(min) mice given PC-SPES had a 58% reduction in tumor number and a 56% decrease in tumor load. No effect on either food intake or body weight was observed in the treated versus sham groups. The present study is the first to report the potent activity of PC-SPES against colon cancer. Both cell cycle arrest and apoptosis occurred after treatment with PC-SPES. This suggests that the components of this herbal mixture, either independently or in combination, acted in colon cancer, resulting in a drastic effect on tumor initiation and tumor progression.     

SMS 201.995 inhibits in vitro and in vivo growth of human colon cancer.

The effect of a long-acting somatostatin analogue SMS 201.995 (SMS; Sandoz) on basal and gastrin-stimulated growth of 4 human colon cancer lines was studied in vitro and in vivo. Proliferation assay was done with overnight [75Se]selenomethionine uptake after 5 days of incubation. Gastrin concentrations used were 5e-10 M and 1e-7 M. SMS concentrations were from 2e-12 M to 2e-7 M. Cell lines LIM 1215, LIM 2405, and LIM 2412 were inhibited dose-dependently in both basal and gastrin-stimulated groups. LIM 1863 was slightly stimulated. Based on in vivo growth characteristics, LIM 2412 and LIM 2405 were selected for xenograft study. The dose of 50 micrograms/kg/day was arrived at after a preliminary experiment showed it to be safe and effective. The LIM 2412 xenografts in the SMS-treated animals were 473.3 +/- 99.9 (SD) versus 838.1 +/- 111.3 mm3 in control (P less than 0.05) after 20 days. The LIM 2405 tumors were also significantly inhibited (81.2 +/- 30.0 versus 245.7 +/- 48.3 mm3, P less than 0.01). The effect of SMS appeared to be reversible. Oral SMS at 200 micrograms/kg/day was not absorbed. This study suggests that SMS may have direct antitumor effects in human colon cancer.     

Chemopreventive n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reprogram genetic signatures during colon cancer initiation and progression in the rat

The mechanisms by which n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) decrease colon tumor formation have not been fully elucidated. Examination of genes up- or down-regulated at various stages of tumor development via the monitoring of gene expression relationships will help to determine the biological processes ultimately responsible for the protective effects of n-3 PUFA. Therefore, using a 3 x 2 x 2 factorial design, we used Codelink DNA microarrays containing approximately 9000 genes to help decipher the global changes in colonocyte gene expression profiles in carcinogen-injected Sprague Dawley rats. Animals were assigned to three dietary treatments differing only in the type of fat (corn oil/n-6 PUFA, fish oil/n-3 PUFA, or olive oil/n-9 monounsaturated fatty acid), two treatments (injection with the carcinogen azoxymethane or with saline), and two time points (12 hours and 10 weeks after first injection). Only the consumption of n-3 PUFA exerted a protective effect at the initiation (DNA adduct formation) and promotional (aberrant crypt foci) stages. Importantly, microarray analysis of colonocyte gene expression profiles discerned fundamental differences among animals treated with n-3 PUFA at both the 12 hours and 10-week time points. Thus, in addition to demonstrating that dietary fat composition alters the molecular portrait of gene expression profiles in the colonic epithelium at both the initiation and promotional stages of tumor development, these findings indicate that the chemopreventive effect of fish oil is due to the direct action of n-3 PUFA and not to a reduction in the content of n-6 PUFA.     

Cancer chemopreventive effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids

The inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), in Raji cells as a primary screening test for anti-tumor promoters, for 22 fatty acids (as free and esterified forms), including 10 di- and polyunsaturated acids, and the inhibitory effects on activation of (+/-)-(E)-methtyl-2-[(E)-hydroxy-imino]-5-nitro-6-methoxy-3-hexemide (NOR 1), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, as a primary screening test for anti-tumor initiators, for 17 fatty acids (as methyl ester forms), were evaluated. Among the fatty acids tested, three n-3 polyunsaturated acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), exhibited potent inhibitory effects both on EBV-EA and NOR 1 activation. Furthermore, DHA methyl ester exhibited remarkable anti-tumor-promoting activity on an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test of mouse tumor using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as an initiator and TPA as a promoter.     

Murine colon adenocarcinomas: methods for selective culture in vitro.

Two murine colon adenocarcinoma cell lines were established from primary cultures. The MCA-38 cell line was begun by treatment of the primary culture with trypsin to remove the fibroblastoid elements. The MCA-36 epithelial cells were sensitive to trypsin; therefore, the growth medium of MCA-36 primary cultures was augmented with collagenase to release the tumor-cell elements from the fibroblast network. These tumor elements were dissociated with trypsin and placed in tissue culture. Each cell line was cultured for at least 10 passages in vitro and gave rise to tumors when reimplanted in vivo.     

Differential effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on cell proliferation during human epithelial in vitro carcinogenesis: involvement of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been implicated in tumour development and have been shown to influence cell proliferation in vitro. We report here that n-3 and n-6 PUFAs at concentration > 10 microM inhibited the proliferation of a human kidney epithelial cell line (21HKE), which has retained phenotypic characteristics of normal kidney epithelial cells. In contrast, the proliferation was stimulated by n-3 and n-6 PUFAs at concentrations < 10 microM under defined growth conditions. The stimulatory effect of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs was even more profound in the presence of EGF. In human kidney epithelial cell lines reflecting different stages of transformation (11HKE and 1THKEras), the stimulatory effect was abrogated both in the presence and absence of EGF. Saturated fatty acids did not show any stimulatory effect on cell growth. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and tyrphostin-47 inhibited EGF-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation dose-dependently in the 21HKE cells, and abolished the growth stimulatory effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This indicates the involvement of EGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity in the observed increase in cell proliferation.     

Influence of omega-3 fatty acids on the growth of human colon carcinoma in nude mice

The present study investigated the influence of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the growth of human colon carcinoma xenograft in athymic nude mice. Four diets were fed to evaluate the effect of levels and types of fat on colon tumor growth. Animals were maintained on a standard diet modified by addition of fats containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to represent high and low fat intakes for 53 days. The final mean estimated tumor weight for the high fat corn oil (24%) fed group was 2,302 mg, whereas the low fat (8% corn oil) group was 1,681 mg. The final mean tumor weight of the high fat menhaden oil fed group was 782 mg representing a 66% decrease in growth compared to the high fat corn oil group and a decrease of 54% compared to the low corn oil fed group. The high fat golden algae oil fed group resulted in a mean final tumor weight of 223 mg representing a 90% inhibition of tumor growth relative to the high fat corn oil fed group and 87% inhibition of growth compared to the low fat corn oil fed group. These findings indicate that dietary omega-3 fatty acids possess significant tumor suppressing properties and that the primary tumor suppressing fatty acid is docosahexaenoic acid. Histopathologic examination of control and treated tumors and expression array analyses (human cytokine and apoptosis arrays) support the tumor growth inhibition data and provide evidence for discussion of possible mechanisms for the observed growth inhibition.     

Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on vincristine-resistance in human neuroblastoma cells

PUFAs such as GLA (n-6) or DHA (n-3) were shown to exert antitumor activity on a human neuroblastoma cell line (NCG) and its VCR-resistant subline (NCG/VCR1, 8.6-fold resistant to VCR) in vitro. The NCG/VCR1 line had markedly decreased intracellular accumulation of [3H]-VCR and an accelerated drug efflux, compared to the NCG. The cytotoxic activity of PUFAs was correlated with the generation of MDA-like products in these cells. When VCR was added simultaneously with GLA or DHA to culture medium, the cytotoxic effect of VCR was about 2-fold enhanced, accompanied by about 1.5-2.0-fold increase of intracellular [3H]-VCR in both cell lines. Fatty acid analysis of membrane phospholipids of the NCG and the NCG/VCR1 cells treated with GLA or DHA showed an increased total PUFAs and SFAs, associated with markedly decreased total MUFAs and an inverted PUFAs/MUFAs ratio. Such phospholipid modification may have altered the membrane physical properties and enhanced the VCR cytotoxicity by increasing intracellular VCR accumulation; however, these PUFAs did not affect the drug efflux sufficiently enough to overcome completely the VCR resistance in the NCG/VCR1 cells. These results indicate that PUFAs partially alleviate the VCR-resistance in human neuroblastoma cells, not directly acting on VCR-resistance mechanism(s).     

Effect of ultraviolet-B radiation on the in vivo growth of murine melanoma cells

The role of UV radiation in the development of malignant melanoma has yet to be clearly defined. The purpose of these studies was to determine whether UV irradiation of mice produces local or systemic alterations that increase the in vivo growth of transplanted melanoma cells. K-1735 melanoma cells were injected into the external ears of syngeneic C3H mice. UV irradiation of the mice before or at the time of injection of the melanoma cells accelerated the appearance of the tumors. The effect was observed when melanoma cells were transplanted directly into the site of UV irradiation, but not when they were injected into an unirradiated site. The initial survival of radiolabeled melanoma cells at the site of inoculation was not altered by UV irradiation of the host, suggesting that the accelerated appearance of tumors was due to an increase in the clonogenic potential of cells injected into UV-irradiated skin. The effect of UV irradiation on the development of other syngeneic tumors was also investigated. The outgrowth of a second melanoma was also accelerated in UV-irradiated mice, whereas the growth of a UV-induced fibrosarcoma, a methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma, and a spontaneous hepatocarcinoma was not affected. These results suggest that, in addition to its carcinogenic activity, UV radiation may contribute to the incidence of cutaneous melanoma because of a local effect on the skin that stimulates melanoma development.     

Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on atrophic gastritis in a Japanese population

In the present study, 92 people were found to have atrophic gastritis (AG) according to depressed serum levels of pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II in a screening involving 208 Japanese people, participating in a group health check. Serum levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), were higher in AG than in non-AG individuals, while those of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) were significantly lower in AG individuals. The odds ratios for high serum DHA and GLA levels in AG subjects were 2.20 (95% C.I.: 1.10-4.39) and 0.34 (95% C.I.: 0.17-0.68), respectively. The above results suggested that GLA plays a role in reducing the incidence of AG, whereas DHA may increase a risk of AG.     

Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on prostaglandin synthesis and cyclooxygenase-mediated DNA adduct formation by heterocyclic aromatic amines in human adenocarcinoma colon cells

Dietary heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are both believed to play a role in colon carcinogenesis, and are both substrate for the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). In HCA-7 cells, highly expressing isoform COX-2, we investigated the effects of PUFA on prostaglandin synthesis and DNA adduct formation by the HCA 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ). Furthermore, we studied the role of COX, COX-2 in particular, and cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2) by using the enzyme inhibitors indomethacin (IM), NS-398, and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), respectively. COX-mediated formation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) from linoleic acid (LA) showed that HCA-7 cells can convert LA into arachidonic acid (AA). Alternatively, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was found to compete with AA for COX. Strongly decreased PGE2 levels by addition of IM demonstrated involvement of COX in PUFA metabolism. Both IM and NS-398 inhibited adduct formation by HCA to nearly the same extent, indicating involvement of COX-2 rather than COX-1, while CYP1A2 activity in HCA-7 cells was demonstrated by addition of PEITC. Overall, inhibiting effects were stronger for PhIP than for IQ. HCA-DNA adduct formation was stimulated by addition of PUFA, although high PUFA concentrations partly reduced this stimulating effect. Finally, similar effects for n-3 and n-6 fatty acids suggested that adduct formation may not be the crucial mechanism behind the differential effects of PUFA on colon carcinogenesis that have been described. These results show that COX, and COX-2 in particular, can play a substantial role in HCA activation, especially in extrahepatic tissues like the colon. Furthermore, the obvious interactions between PUFA and HCA in COX-2 expressing cancer cells may be important in modulating colorectal cancer risk.     

Combined treatment with TNP-470 and 5-fluorouracil effectively inhibits growth of murine colon cancer cells in vitro and liver metastasis in vivo

The combined effects of TNP-470 (TNP), a semisynthetic analogue of fumagillin, and 5-fluorouracil (5FU), a representative chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer, were investigated using murine colon 26 adenocarcinoma (CT 26) cells. In a cell-proliferation study in vitro, 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were determined to be 5.2 microg/ml and 240 ng/ml for TNP and 5FU, respectively. When CT 26 cells were treated with TNP and 5FU in combination, a remarkable cytotoxic effect was obtained. Isobologram analysis revealed synergism of these two agents in inhibition of the cell growth. In vivo, using a dorsal air sac assay, we found that TNP significantly inhibited the CT 26-induced angiogenesis. In addition, the combination of TNP and 5FU exerted a synergistic anti-tumor effect in a model of hepatic metastasis by portal injection of CT 26 cells. Since TNP is known to exert inhibitory effects on tumor cell growth through suppression of cell cycle progress from the G1 to S phases as well as neovascularization, it is speculated that the treatment with TNP enhanced the anti-tumor effect of 5FU through suppression of the cell cycle and tumor-derived angiogenesis. Taken together, these results suggest that combined treatment with TNP and 5FU is potentially useful for inhibition of tumor cell growth and liver metastasis of colorectal cancer.     

In vivo and in vitro growth stimulation of murine hepatoma cells by glucocorticoid

An increased level of glucocorticoid receptors has been found in hepatoma. The aim of this study was to determine the in vivo effect of glucocorticoid on the growth of murine hepatoma cells. In vitro cell growth was determined by MTT assay, while cell cycle progression was assayed with flow cytometry. For in vivo experiments, ML-3 and Hepa 1-6 cells were implanted in BALB/c and SCID mice, respectively. Each mouse received 4 subcutaneous injections of hydrocortisone and/or RU486 after tumor implantation. We found that glucocorticoid treatment of ML-3 and Hepa 1-6 cells in vitro resulted in an increase in cell growth which was partially inhibited by RU486, a glucocorticoid antagonist. Glucocorticoid treatment enhanced the cell cycle progression of ML-3 cells. The incidence of ML-3 tumor in the hydrocortisone group was significantly higher than that of the saline, RU486, or hydrocortisone plus RU486 groups. RU486 partially blocked the hydrocortisone-stimulated growth of hepatoma. Further study showed that glucocorticoid treatment of SCID mice also stimulated Hepa 1-6 tumor growth. In conclusion, our results indicated that glucocorticoid directly stimulated hepatoma growth and this stimulation was not the result of immune suppression. Glucocorticoids may play an important role in regulating the growth of hepatoma.