title: Correlation of serum basic fibroblast growth factor levels with clinicopathologic features and postoperative recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an important positive regulator of tumor angiogenesis. This study evaluated the role of serum bFGF as a biological marker of tumor invasiveness and postresection recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Concentrations of bFGF in preoperative serum samples in 88 patients undergoing resection of HCC were measured by a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A single pathologist performed histopathologic examination of all tumor specimens. All patients were prospectively monitored for tumor recurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The preoperative serum bFGF levels ranged from <0.22 to 71.2 pg/mL (median 10.8 pg/mL). There was significant correlation between high serum bFGF levels and large tumor >5 cm, presence of venous invasion or advanced pTNM stage. Patients with a serum bFGF level >10.8 pg/mL had worse disease-free survival than those with a level <10.8 pg/mL (median disease-free survival 11.2 versus 20 months, P = 0.044). Serum bFGF level >10.8 pg/mL (P = 0.035) and tumor size >5 cm (P = 0.004) were independent preoperative factors that predicted early recurrence after resection of HCC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports a role of bFGF in tumor growth and invasion in HCC. A high preoperative serum bFGF level appears to be predictive of invasive tumor and early postoperative recurrence. The clinical implications of serum bFGF level in HCC warrant further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Centre for the Study of Liver Disease, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China. poontp@hkucc.hku.hk
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.forename: I O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2