Oxidative stress pathways in noncancerous human liver tissue to predict hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence: a prospective, multicenter study

The prediction of cancer recurrence holds the key to improvement of the postoperative prognosis of patients. In this study, the recurrence of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative hepatectomy was analyzed by the genome-wide gene-expression profiling on cancer tissue and the noncancerous liver tissue. Using the training set of 78 cases, the cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) gene in noncancerous liver tissue was identified as the predictive candidate for postoperative recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 0.447; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.249-0.808; P = 0.010). Multivariate analysis revealed the statistically significant advantage of CYP1A2 down-regulation to predict recurrence (odds ratio, 0.534; 95% CI, 0.276-0.916; P = 0.036), and the expression of CYP1A2 protein was confirmed immunohistochemically. An independently multi-institutional cohort of 211 patients, using tissue microarrays, validated that loss of expression of CYP1A2 in noncancerous liver tissue as the only predictive factor of recurrence after curative hepatectomy for early-stage HCC (HR, 0.480; 95% CI, 0.256-0.902; P = 0.038). Gene set-enrichment analysis revealed close association of CYP1A2 down-regulation with oxidative stress pathways in liver tissue (P < 0.001, false discovery rate [FDR] = 0.042; P = 0.006, FDR = 0.035). Our results indicate these pathways as the molecular targets to prevent recurrence, as well as the potential prediction of the super high-risk population of HCC using liver tissue.     

肝癌细胞表达差异片段MRG 98.2的临床意义

目的 筛选肝细胞癌（HCC）相关基因,探讨其在HCC发病中的临床意义。方法 用差异显示技术对比研究正常肝组织、HCC组织及癌旁肝组织之间mRNA的表达差异,以肝cDNA片段MRG98．2为探针,对10例HCC及癌旁肝组织进行斑点印渍分析,并通过逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT－PCR）方法检测这些标本血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）mRNA的表达水平。结果 从HCC组织中获得的差示片段MRG98．2在7例HCC标本中表达阳性（70％）,癌旁肝组织弱表达（2／10）或无表达。VEGF mRNA在7例MRG98．2 阳性表达的HCC组织中的6例表达上调。结论 MRG98．2是HCC相关的基因片段,其表达与VEGF mRNA相关,并可能与肿瘤浸润转移、患者的预后不良有关。     

Prognostic significance of HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the prognostic significance of HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma(NCC).METHODS: Surgical specimens from 315 patients with HCC as well as 196 adjacent noncancerous lesions and 22 cases of normal liver tissue were investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for HIF-2α/EPAS1 using a standard detection system. Correlations with clinicopathological factors, VEGF, microvessel density(MVD), and prognosis were analyzed.RESULTS: Immunoreactivity of HIF-2α/EPAS1 was positive in 69.5% of HCC, 55.6% of adjacent noncancerous tissue, and 0% of normal liver tissue. And it was significantly correlated with tumor grade, venous invasion, intrahepatic metastasis, necrosis, and capsule infiltration. Correlation analysis of HIF-2α/EPAS1 with angiogenic factor VEGF (P＜0.001), and MVD (P =0.016) was also noted. HIF-2α/EPAS1 protein was less frequently expressed in low MVD cases, whereas a high rate of expression was noted in cases with both medium and high MVD (P=0.042). By Kaplan-Meier analysis,strong HIF-2α/EPAS1 staining (＞ 50% of tumor cells) in HCC correlated with a shortened survival in patients (Cox's regression, P＜0.001, r= 3.699).CONCLUSION: We conclude that HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression may play an important role in tumor progression and prognosis of HCC. Assessment of HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression in HCC may be used as a diagnostic tool and possibly a target in the treatment of HCC.     

Quantitave and qualitative changes in vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression in glomeruli of patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) exists in three main splice variants, characterized by 121, 165 and 189 amino acids (VEGF 121, VEGF 165 and VEGF 189) and acts via two specific receptors: VEGF-R1 or Flt-1 and VEGF-R2 or KDR. VEGF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. This study examined the relationship between VEGF and its isoforms and the severity of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: We evaluated the glomerular gene expression of VEGF and its receptors and studied the relationships with renal functional and structural parameters in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: Glomeruli from 17 kidney biopsies were microdissected; 14 out of 17 biopsies were also subjected to electron microscopic morphometric analysis to estimate glomerular structural parameters. VEGF mRNA was studied by comparative kinetic RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR in order to identify the three different isoforms and to quantify VEGF, VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2 mRNA levels. RESULTS: (i) Glomerular VEGF mRNA levels were inversely related to albumin excretion rate (r=-0.66, P=0.004); (ii) both the degree of mesangial and mesangial matrix expansion were inversely related to VEGF 165 mRNA levels (r=-0.73, P=0.005 and r=-0.64, P=0.017), and directly to VEGF 121 mRNA levels (r=0.74, P=0.003 and r=0.73, P=0.004); and (iii) VEGF and VEGF-R2 mRNA levels were directly related (r=0.62, P=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that quantitative and qualitative changes in VEGF expression are present in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy and might be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic glomerulopathy.     

Prognostic signif icance of HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the prognostic signif icance of HIF- 2α/EPAS1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Surgical specimens from 315 patients with HCC as well as 196 adjacent noncancerous lesions and 22 cases of normal liver tissue were investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for HIF-2α/EPAS1 using a standard detection system. Correlations with clinicopathological factors, VEGF, microvessel density (MVD), and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity of HIF-2α/EPAS1 was positive in 69.5% of HCC, 55.6% of adjacent noncancerous tissue, and 0% of normal liver tissue. And it was significantly correlated with tumor grade, venous invasion, intrahepatic metastasis, necrosis, and capsule infiltration. Correlation analysis of HIF-2α/EPAS1 with angiogenic factor VEGF (P < 0.001), and MVD (P = 0.016) was also noted. HIF-2α/EPAS1 protein was less frequently expressed in low MVD cases, whereas a high rate of expression was noted in cases with both medium and high MVD (P = 0.042). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, strong HIF-2α/EPAS1 staining (> 50% of tumor cells) in HCC correlated with a shortened survival in patients (Cox's regression, P < 0.001, r = 3.699). CONCLUSION: We conclude that HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression may play an important role in tumor progression and prognosis of HCC. Assessment of HIF-2α/EPAS1 expression in HCC may be used as a diagnostic tool and possibly a target in the treatment of HCC.     

Clinical analysis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after living-donor liver transplantation

AIM: To evaluated patterns and outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) recurrence after living donor liver transplantation(LDLT).METHODS: From 2001 to 2014, 293 patients underwent LDLT for HCC at our transplant center. We retrospectively reviewed 54(18.4%) patients with HCC recurrence after LDLT. We evaluated patterns and outcomes of HCC recurrence after LDLT, with particular attention to the Milan criteria at transplantation, treatments for HCC-recurrent patients, and factors related to survival after HCC recurrence. Furthermore, we evaluated the efficacy of combination treatment of sorafenib and an mT OR inhibitor.RESULTS: The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates after HCC recurrence were 41.1%, 20.5%, and 15.4%, respectively. The median time interval between LDLT and HCC recurrence was 6.5 mo. Although recurrence rates according to the Milan criteria at LDLT were significantly different, HCC recurrence patterns and survival rates after HCC recurrence were not significantly different between the two groups. Time to recurrence 12 mo(P = 0.048), multiple recurrences at HCC recurrence(P = 0.038), and palliative treatment for recurrent tumors(P = 0.003) were significant independent prognostic factors for poor survival after HCC recurrence in a multivariate analysis. The combination treatment of sorafenib and sirolimus showedsurvival benefits in the palliative treatment group(P = 0.005).CONCLUSION: Curative treatment for recurrent HCC after LDLT is the most important factor in survival rates after HCC recurrence and combination treatments of sorafenib and an m TOR inhibitor could have survival benefits in patients with HCC recurrence after LT in the palliative treatment group.     

生存素、p27和PTEN在肝细胞癌中的表达及临床病理意义

目的 探讨生存素蛋白、生存素mRNA、p27蛋白、p27 mRNA和第10号染色体同源丢失性磷酸酶张力蛋白基因(PTEN)蛋白在肝细胞癌(HCC)中的表达及其临床病理意义.方法 自制组织芯片,采用免疫组织化学和原位杂交法检测生存素蛋白、p27蛋白、PTEN蛋白和生存素mRNA、p27 mRNA在141份肝细胞癌、128份癌旁肝组织、97份远癌肝组织及17份正常肝组织中的表达,探讨各指标的关系并建立预测肝癌发生的模型.结果 肝癌组中生存素蛋白(Ridit值的95%CI为0.689±0.048,P《0.01)、生存素mRNA(Ridit值的95% CI为0.690±0.049,P《0.01)和p27蛋白(Ridit值的95% CI为0.556±0.053,P《0.05)表达明显增高,PTEN(Ridit值的95% CI为0.282±0.048)表达明显下降(P《0.01);肝癌中生存素的表达与p27、PTEN表达均显著相关;生存素mRNA、p27蛋白和PTEN蛋白对判断肝癌发生与否有重要意义.结论 生存素mRNA、p27蛋白的表达上调和PTEN蛋白的表达下调可作为判断肝癌发生的有价值指标.     

Predictive value of tumor markers in patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma in different vascular invasion pattern

BACKGROUND: Four tumor markers for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), alpha-fetoprotein(AFP), glypican-3(GPC3), vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and des-gammacarboxy prothrombin(DCP), are closely associated with tumor invasion and patient's survival. This study estimated the predictability of preoperative tumor marker levels along with pathological parameters on HCC recurrence after hepatectomy.METHODS: A total of 140 patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy between January 2012 and August 2012 were enrolled. The demographics, clinical and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: patients with macroscopic vascular invasion(Ma VI +) and those without Ma VI(Ma VI-). The predictive value of tumor markers and clinical parameters were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis.RESULTS: In all patients, tumor size(8 cm) and Ma VI were closely related to HCC recurrence after hepatectomy. For Ma VI+ patients, VEGF(900 pg/m L) was a significant predictor for recurrence(RR=2.421; 95% CI: 1.272-4.606; P=0.007). The 1- and 2-year tumor-free survival rates for Ma VI+ patients with VEGF ≤900 pg/m L versus for those with VEGF 900 pg/m L were 51.5% and 17.6% versus 19.0% and 4.8%(P0.001). For Ma VI- patients, DCP 445 m Au/m L and tumor size 8 cm were two independent risk factors for tumor recurrence(RR=2.307, 95% CI: 1.132-4.703, P=0.021; RR=3.150, 95% CI: 1.392-7.127, P=0.006; respectively). The 1- and 2-year tumor-free survival rates for the patients with DCP ≤445 m Au/m L and those with DCP 445 m Au/m L were 90.4% and 70.7% versus 73.2% and 50.5% respectively(P=0.048). The 1-and 2-year tumor-free survival rates for the patients with tumor size ≤8 cm and 8 cm were 83.2% and 62.1% versus 50.0% and 30.0%, respectively(P=0.003).CONCLUSIONS: The Ma VI+ patients with VEGF ≤900 pg/m L had a relatively high tumor-free survival than those with VEGF 900 pg/m L. In the Ma VI- patients, DCP 445 m Au/m L and tumor size 8 cm were predictive factors for postoperative recurrence.     

Clinicopathological features of hepatocellular carcinoma evaluated by vascular endothelial growth factor expression

AIM: To evaluate the significance of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), its correlation with clinicopathological variables were studied in the tissue of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and surrounding liver. METHODS: In 56 samples (tumor and non-tumor liver tissue) collected from 28 patients, VEGF expression was examined by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. RESULTS: The value of VEGF expression by western blotting was correlated with immunohistochemical staining grade. In tumor tissue, the value of VEGF expression correlated with tumor size (P = 0.034), á-fetoprotein (P = 0.036) and protein induced by vitamin K absence-II by simple regression, and histological grade (P = 0.0132) by the unpaired t-test. The level of VEGF expression in non-tumor liver was found to correlate with the value of serum albumin (P = 0.008), cholinesterase (P = 0.012) and prothrombin activity (P = 0.046). The frequency of simple nodular type in gross appearance decreased in cases with high tumor/non-tumor (T/N) ratio (P = 0.022), and the degree of portal vein invasion progressed with an increase in the T/N ratio (P = 0.008). The T/N ratio was significantly higher in early recurrence cases (P = 0.0081). CONCLUSION: This study on the expression of VEGF might be useful to estimate the liver condition and the clinicopathological features of HCC.     

肝细胞癌组织中Fas抗原和bcl-2蛋白的表达

目的 了解Ｆａｓ抗原及ｂｃｌ－２蛋白在肝癌中的意义。方法 用流式细胞技术对２６例肝细胞癌（ＨＣＣ）癌组织及相应硬变肝组织,以及１４例正常肝组织中Ｆａｓ抗原和ｂｃｌ－２蛋白的表达进行分析。结果 上述３种组织中均测到Ｆａｓ抗原和ｂｃｌ－２蛋白。ＨＣＣ组织中Ｆａｓ明显高于硬变肝组织中的表达（Ｐ〈０．０５）,而与正常肝组织Ｆａｓ表达差异无统计学意义（Ｐ〉０．０５）。ｂｃｌ－２在肝癌组织中明显低于正常组肝组     

AFP、h-TERT及VEGF基因在肝细胞癌患者外周血中的诊断价值

目的:探讨肝细胞癌(HCC)患者外周血中甲胎蛋白(AFP)、端粒酶逆转录酶(h-TERT)及血管内皮生长因子(VEGF) mRNA的表达及联合检测对诊断HCC的应用价值.方法:应用荧光定量PCR(FQ-PCR)对40例HCC、20例肝外良性疾病及10例正常体检人群的外周血AFP mRNA、h-TERT mRNA及VEGF mRNA的表达量进行检测.结果:3种指标在HCC患者中阳性率分别为77.5%、85%及72.5%,与对照组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).且AFP mRNA、VEGF mRNA的阳性表达与HCC患者血清AFP水平无关(P>0.05),h-TERT mRNA与患者血清AFP水平存有相关性(P=0.01);3种指标与HCC患者的TNM分期高度相关(P<0.01).AFP mRNA在诊断HCC特异性较高,而AFP mRNA和h-TERT mRNA联合检测效果更好(敏感度92.%,特异度80%).结论:3种指标对诊断HCC均能起到良好的参考作用,联合检测AFP mRNA及h-TERT mRNA能增加诊断HCC的敏感度及特异度.     

Recurrence or metastasis of HCC:predictors, early detection and experimental antiangiogenic therapy

AIM To investigate the predictors for recurrence or metastasis of HCC, and to evaluate the effect of antiangiogenic therapy on the growth of transplantable human HCC in nude mice. METHODS RT-PCR was used to measure the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 56 pairs of nontumorous liver and tumor samples. Sixty blood samples from human HCC were examined by nested RT-PCR to find out AFP mRNA. Recombinant human endostatin and polyclonal antibody against VEGF were administered to treat human HCC transplanted in nude mice. RESULTS Thirty of 56 HCC samples showed stronger expression of MMP-9 in tumorous tissues than in nontumorous tissues. Fifteen of the 26 patients with relative expression level of MMP-9 more than 0.34 developed tumor recurrence or metastasis, whereas only 7 of 30 patients with relative expression level less than 0.34 developed tumor recurrence (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the relative expression level of VEGF between patients with postoperative recurrence or metastasis and those without recurrence. AFP mRNA was detectable in 53.3% of patients with HCC. The sensitivity and specificity of AFP mRNA as a marker to detect hematogenous dissemination of HCC cells was 81.8% and 84.4%, respectively. Recombinant human endostatin and polyclonal antibody against VEGF inhibited the growth of transplantable HCC in nude mice by 52.2% and 45.7%, respectively.CONCLUSION MMP-9 expression in HCC correlates with the postoperative recurrence or metastasis of HCC. Patients with high level of MMP-9 expression in HCC are susceptible to metastasis. AFP mRNA could serve as an indicator of hematogenous spreading of HCC cells in circulation and a predictor of recurrence or metastasis of HCC. Antiangiogenesis may be an adjuvant therapy for HCC.