Diminished transcription of chromosome arm 4q is inversely related to local spreading of hepatocellular carcinoma.
To identify transcriptional features associated with local spreading of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), regional expression biases were determined from the gene expression profiles of solitary HCC tumors and of HCC tumors associated with additional intrahepatic lesions and/or portal vein involvement. Regional expression biases are genetic intervals in which gene expression is coordinately changed. Often, but not always, a regional expression bias indicates an underlying chromosomal aberration. This study demonstrated that the presence or absence of a regional expression bias on chromosome arm 4q can predict the presence or absence of intrahepatic spread/portal vein involvement in 83% of cases analyzed (n = 40). These results suggest that the transcriptional state of 4q may be a marker for local spreading of HCC and that a more detailed genetic/epigenetic characterization of this locus may provide additional insights into HCC development.
Dykema
Karl J
KJ
Bioinformatics Special Program, Van Andel Research Institute, 333 Bostwick, N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
Furge
Kyle A
KA
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002894:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000473:pathology