Is the vascular endothelial growth factor messenger RNA expression in resectable hepatocellular carcinoma of prognostic value after resection?
OBJECTIVE
To study whether vascular endothelial growth factor messenger RNA (VEGF mRNA) in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues obtained after curative resection has a prognostic value.


METHODS
Using a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based assay, VEGF mRNA was determined prospectively in liver tissues of 50 controls and in HCC tissues of 50 consecutive patients undergoing curative resection for HCC.


RESULTS
Among the isoforms of VEGF mRNA, VEGF(165) and VEGF(121) were expressed. By multivariate analysis, a higher level of VEGF(165) in HCC tissue correlated with a significant risk of HCC recurrence (P=0.038) and significantly with recurrence-related mortality (P=0.045); while VEGF(121) did not. Other significant predictors of HCC recurrence included cellular dedifferentiation (P=0.033), an absent or incomplete capsule (P=0.020), vascular permeation (P=0.018), and daughter nodules (P=0.006). The other significant variables of recurrence related mortality consisted of vascular permeation (P=0.045), and cellular dedifferentiation (P=0.053). The level of VEGF mRNA in HCC tissues, however, did not significantly correlate with tumor size, cellular differentiation, capsule, daughter nodules, vascular permeation, necrosis and hemorrhage of tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of VEGF mRNA, especially isoform VEGF(165), in HCC tissues, may play a significant and independent role in the prediction of postoperative recurrence of HCC.
Department of Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, China.
Kuo-Shyang
KS
Jeng
I-Shyan
IS
Sheen
Yi-Ching
YC
Wang
Shu-Ling
SL
Gu
Chien-Ming
CM
Chu
Shou-Chuan
SC
Shih
Po-Chuan
PC
Wang
Wen-Hsing
WH
Chang
Horng-Yuan
HY
Wang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A