Evaluation of sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with low α-fetoprotein in arrival time parametric imaging using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography

Purpose

To determine the usefulness of arrival time parametric imaging (AtPI) using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with Sonazoid in evaluating early response to sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Twenty-one advanced HCC patients with low α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels (≤35 ng/ml) who received sorafenib for at least 4 weeks were enrolled in this study. CEUS was performed before and 2 weeks after treatment, and the images of the target lesion in the arterial phase were analyzed by AtPI. In the color mapping images obtained by AtPI, the mean arrival time of the contrast agent in the target lesion from the reference point (mean time: MT) was calculated. In each patient, differences between MT before and MT 2 weeks after treatment were compared. MT (+) and MT (?) groups were defined as difference of 0 s or greater and less than 0 s, respectively. Overall survival was evaluated between the two groups.

Results

In the MT (+) (11 patients) and MT (?) (10 patients) groups, the median survival time was 792 and 403 days, respectively, which was statistically significant.

Conclusions

The results suggested that AtPI was useful for evaluating early response to sorafenib for advanced HCC with low AFP level.

     

Changes of PPARγ protein expression and activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with sepsis

Objective To investigate the changes of PPARγ protein expression and activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with sepsis and its association with severity and prognosis of sepsis. Method Ac-cording to the guidelines to sepsis set by ACCP/SCCM consensus conference in 2003, 48 patients with sepsis ad-mitted in Emergency and Surgical ICU from December 2007 to March 2008 were enrolled in this perspective study. Sixteen healthy individuals were selected as controls. Patients with metastatic tumors, autoimmune disease, AIDS or under immunosuppressive therapy were excluded. This study was approved by the ethical committee of Zhong-shan Hospital, Fudan University. All patients were divided into mild and severe sepsis groups. Patients were also divided into survivor and non-survivor groups as per 28-day mortality. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated by using Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. PPART protein expression was determined by using Westem Blot-ting. The activity of PPARγ was analyzed by using EMSA. Differences among groups were analyzed by using one-way ANOVA. Results The protein expression and activity of PPARγ were significantly increased in mild sepsis patients (0.56±0.12 and 4.13±0.22, respectively) compared with both healthy controls (0.39±0.07 and 2.42±0.17, respectively) and severe sepsis patients (0.30±0.07 and 1.63±0.12, respectively) (P < 0.05). However, the protein expression and activity of PPARγ were obviously decreased in severe sepsis patients compared with healthy individuals and mild spsis patients (P < 0.05). Survivors from sepsis had significantly higher protein expression and activity (0.54±0.11 and 3.59±0.34, respectively) than non-survivors (0.21±0.08 and 1.94 ±0.25, respectively) (P < 0.05). Conclusions These data suggest that the protein expression and activity of PPARγ in peripheral blood lymphocytes might be valuable biomarkers in assessing the severity and outcome of pa-tients with sepsis.     

Natalizumab and the role of α4-integrin antagonism in the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Natalizumab is a powerful new therapy with a novel mechanism of action for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. In a randomized, double-blind, Phase III study (the AFFIRM [Natalizumab Safety and Efficacy in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis] study), natalizumab monotherapy 300 mg intravenous every 4 weeks reduced the risk of sustained disability progression by 42% and annualized relapse rate by 68% over 2 years (both p < 0.001 versus placebo). Natalizumab was approved in the US in November 2004 for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis, but was voluntarily withdrawn in February 2005 due to three cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Following a safety evaluation and regulatory review, the US FDA approved natalizumab as monotherapy for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis in June 2006 generally for patients who have had an inadequate response to, or are unable to tolerate, alternative treatments.     

Clinical significance of hepatocyte growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor-AB, and transforming growth factor-α in bone marrow and peripheral blood of patients with multiple myeloma

Angiogenesis is a process that plays an important role in the growth and progression of cancer; growing evidence suggests that neovascularization is important in hematologic malignancies. Increased angiogenic potential has been identified in multiple myeloma (MM). In this study, investigators simultaneously measured the levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB), and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-/ga) through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) of 30 patients with MM and 10 healthy controls. Differences in HGF values in BM sera were significant (P=.001) between patients and controls. In detailed analyses of HGF, PDGF-AB, and TGF-α, according to disease stage, a significant correlation was found between disease stage and BM HGF (P=.047), BM TGF-α (P=.021), and PB PDGF-AB (P=.006), respectively. When correlations between all other parameters were analyzed, significance was noted between PB TGF-α and lactate dehydrogenase (P=.02), PB TGF-α and PB HGF (P=.002), BM TGF-α and CD38 (P=.046), BM TGF-α and BM HGF (P=.000), BM TGF-α and BM PDGF-AB (P=.048), BM HGF and PB HGF (P=.044), and BM PDGF-AB and PB PDGF-AB (P=.000). BM HGF levels had a significant effect on overall survival, with disease severity assessed in terms of disease stage (P=.0018, log-rank test). These data show that in patients with MM, high levels of BM HGF, BM TGF-α, and PB PDGF-AB were associated with advanced disease stage; in addition, HGF played a significant role in disease processing and was related to disease severity. These findings have also led to the concept of a symbiotic relationship between the growth of myeloma cells and HGF, TGF-α, and PDGF-AB in BM.     

Safety and efficacy of HepaSphere 50–100 μm in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim: To evaluate the effects of HepaSphere 50–100?μm (Merit Medical) as a doxorubicin carrier and embolization agent for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Material and methods: A prospective analysis of 18 patients recruited from a national cancer center was conducted. This analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of HepaSphere, as expressed by the treatment response rate (measured by the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, mRECIST) and by the prevalence of treatment-related adverse events, respectively.

Results: The cohort was predominantly male, with a mean age of 69 years. The objective response rate (complete?+?partial response) was 53.3%. The variable most likely to be associated with objective response was Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging. The most prevalent adverse events were nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Conclusion: HepaSphere chemoembolization yielded a substantial objective response rate with an acceptable toxicity profile and should be considered an option for HCC treatment.     

Does iodine concentration affect the diagnostic efficacy of biphasic spiral CT in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma?

Background We investigated the effect of iodinated contrast medium concentration on increased neoplastic lesion enhancement and its direct relation to diagnostic efficacy in biphasic spiral computed tomography for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods A pilot, single-center, randomized, double-blind, crossover, comparative study was performed and included 22 participants. Each patient underwent two separate biphasic contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomographic examinations. Scans were performed with iomeprol containing 400 (iomeprol 400) or 300 (iomeprol 300) mg of iodine per milliliter (Iomeron, Bracco Imaging SpA, Milan, Italy) with a 2- to 12-day window scan; patients were given an equal total dose of 45 g of iodine at a fixed injection rate of 4 mL/s. Comparison included assessment of quantitative and qualitative parameters.Results Lesion density and lesion-to-liver contrast increased more markedly with the higher concentration of contrast medium during the arterial phase (p = 0.0016 and 0.0005, respectively). There was no significant difference in any parameter between the two concentrations during the portal phase. Number of lesions detected during the arterial phase increased from 37 with iomeprol 300 to 42 with iomeprol 400; in the portal phase, the respective numbers were 34 and 36.Conclusion Even though a small number of patients was examined, our study suggests that, in patients with cirrhosis, an increased concentration of iodine improves liver-to-lesion contrast and may improve the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma.     

A novel, label-free immunosensor for the detection of α-fetoprotein using functionalised gold nanoparticles

Background and objectives

Novel immunoassay methods based on electrochemical sensors have been developed, but most of these immunosensors are unsuitable for clinical detection because their preparation requires complicated chemical procedures and because their detection sensitivity is restricted. In order to develop a highly sensitive, label-free amperometric sensor for immunoassays, we synthesised novel, functionalised gold nanoparticles (SV-GNP) by covalently capping the surface of gold nanoparticles (GNP) with 1,1′-bis-(2-mercapto)-4,4′-bipyridinium dibromide, a kind of sulfhyrdryl viologen (SV).

Design and methods

We fabricated an immunosensor in a multi-step fashion, by first coating the SV-GNP onto a glassy carbon electrode surface; the resulting electrode core could then adsorb a suitable antibody in a second step to afford the desired immunosensor. α-fetoprotein (AFP) was used as a model analyte in this work.

Results

The anti-AFP/SV-GNP-modified electrode was sensitive to AFP with a linear relationship between 1.25 and 200 ng/mL and a correlation coefficient of 0.9983; the detection limit at a signal to noise ratio of 3 was 0.23 ng/mL under optimal conditions. In addition, the proposed immunosensor exhibited good sensitivity, selectivity, stability and long-term maintenance of bioactivity.

Conclusion

The described immunosensor preparation and immunoassay methods offer promise for label-free, simple, and cost-effective analysis of biological samples.     

Coenzyme Q10 and α-lipoic acid: antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects in plasma and peripheral blood lymphocytes of supplemented subjects

Reactive oxygen species not only cause damage but also have a physiological role in the protection against pathogens and in cell signalling. Mitochondrial nutrients, such as coenzyme Q₁₀ and α-lipoic acid, beside their acknowledged antioxidant activities, show interesting features in relation to their redox state and consequent biological activity. In this study, we tested whether oral supplementation with 200 mg/day of coenzyme Q₁₀ alone or in association with 200 mg/die of α-lipoic acid for 15 days on 16 healthy subjects was able to modulate the oxidative status into different compartments (plasma and cells), in basal condition and following an oxidative insult in peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to H₂O₂. Data have shown that tested compounds produced antioxidant and bioenergetic effects improving oxidative status of the lipid compartment and mitochondrial functionality in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Simultaneously, an increased intracellular reactive oxygen species level was observed, although they did not lead to enhanced DNA oxidative damage. Coenzyme Q₁₀ and α-lipoic acid produced beneficial effects also steering intracellular redox poise toward a pro-oxidant environment. In contrast with other antioxidant molecules, pro-oxidant activities of tested mitochondrial nutrients and consequent oxidant mediated signalling, could have important implications in promoting adaptive response to oxidative stress.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Genotyping of blood groups in alloimmunized patients with β-thalassemia major by T-ARMS-PCR and multiplex-aso-pcr

IntroductionBeta-thalassemia major is a severe hemolytic anemia requiring life-long blood transfusion. Planned random donor blood transfusion is associated with alloimmunization against incompatible antigens. Determination of the minor blood group systems phenotype or genotype, and administration of the compatible blood components can significantly reduce the rate of alloimmunization.The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of alloimmunization, and genotype/phenotype characteristics of the minor blood groups systems in patients with β-thalassemia major.Material and methodsThis study was conducted on 1147 β-thalassemia major patients. Initially, antibody screening and antibody identification were performed. Then, phenotyping and genotyping for the Rh, Kell, Kidd, and Duffy blood groups were done in alloimmunized patients using monoclonal antibodies and Multiplex-Allele Specific Oligonucleotide-Polymerase Chain Reaction (Multiplex-ASO-PCR) and Tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system–PCR (T-ARMS-PCR), respectively. Any phenotype/genotype discrepancy was assessed by direct sequencing.ResultsNinety-seven (8.5 %) out of 1147 patients had alloantibodies against the minor blood group antigens (44 males, 45.4 %, and 53 female, 54.6 %). The most common alloantibodies were against the RH (n: 47, 48.5 %), and the Kell (n: 23, 23.7 %) blood groups systems. Twenty-three (2.1 %) genotype/phenotype discrepancies out of 1067 tests, including 9 in the Rh (9.3 %), 8 in Duffy (34.8 %), and 6 in Kidd (26.1 %) blood groups were detected. No discrepancy was found in the Kell blood group system. Direct sequencing revealed that the results of molecular methods were correct.ConclusionMultiplex-ASO-PCR and T-ARMS-PCR molecular methods are fast, reliable and cost-benefit molecular methods for the minor blood group genotyping in multi-transfused β-thalassemia major patients.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.     

Expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of β-catenin and peroxisome prolifera-tot-activated receptor-γ,(PPARγ) in bepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Tissue microarrays were established to detect β-catenin and PPARγ expression in 49 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma,49 cases of adjacent nontumoral liv-er tissue and 6 cases of normal liver tissue. The relationships between PPARγ and β-catenin as well as between PPARγ and clinicopathological parameters were observed. Results The aberrant expression rate of β-catenin was 69.39%,48.98 % and 0 respectively (P=0.001). The positive expression rate of PPARγ was 51.02%,30.61% and 0 respectively (P=0.016). Clinicopathological analysis revealed that the increase of PPARγ expression was not associated with age,tumor size,serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels,tumor embolus of portal vein or inferior vena cava,and HBsAg infection(χ2=0.214,3.201,0.046,3.201,P>0.05 for each),but correlated with differentiation grades(χ2=4.693,P<0.05). Aberrant expression of β-catenin was associated with PPARγ expression(χ2= 5.130,P<0.05). Conclusion Aberrant expression of β-catenin may involve in the liver carcinogenesis. The high expression of PPARγ in hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteris-tics. Detection of PPARγ is valuable for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma,and evaluating malignancy extent and prognosis.